ecently Jones Lang LaSalle, the leading global real estate advisory firm, in one of its report
stated that it expects the industrial sector to be one of the strongest performing sectors of the
real estate market across MENA, attracting increased interest from both regional and global
real estate developers and investors. It added that real estate markets across MENA will see
a significant shift in emphasis over the next few years, with far greater attention being focused on the light
industrial/logistics market. This sector has not witnessed the same level of speculative construction as
the residential, commercial and hotel sectors of the market. There remains strong underlying demand for
quality light industrial and logistics units. This demand will be enhanced by continued investment in major
new transport infrastructure including seaports, airports and important new rail initiatives across the GCC.
The firm further stated that the investor interest is likely to be the strongest for those properties securely
leased to major international occupiers on long-term leases. The light industrial/logistics market offers
more opportunities for investors looking for secure, long-term income producing assets than other sectors
of the real estate market.
Though the report was mainly focused on key regional markets such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh,
Jeddah and Cairo but if we look at the developments within Oman in the last few years probably the
Sultanate is also moving in the same direction. There haven’t been too many new residential, commercial
or tourism oriented projects announced in the last year or two in Oman. On the contrary, if we review the
developments in the industrial, logistics and transportation sectors, many large projects have taken off. The
prime example is Duqm where the construction of the dry docks and a port are driving the development
of a modern city from scratch. More than 20 contractors are working on different components of the
construction at Duqm project alone.
The expansion of international airports at Muscat and Salalah is another development that is supporting the
construction community to grow at a sustainable pace. Then there are developments of logistic hubs, rail
networks, surface transport and free zones apart from oil & gas activities in various parts of the Sultanate.
Does it mean that 2010 was a great year for the construction sector? Not really. The operating income and
profit margins of the leading companies were under tremendous pressure in 2010 compared to the year
before. But the good news is that their order books have begun to generate new contracts, mostly from
the sectors such as transport, logistics, industries and oil & gas. The reliance on tourism and residential
activities has come down.
The mood seems to be upbeat among the industry players as we head closer towards the New Year!
Enjoy reading.

Mood Upbeat
The Government of Oman is floating a large number
of tenders currently which clearly reflects that the
country is following the path of Progress

D

espite the global economic
slowdown, Oman’s
construction industry
has performed well.
Construction work has permeated
almost every sector of the country’s
economy, more so in travel and tourism.
Government spending in 2009 focussed
on building projects and infrastructure
to counterbalance wider economic crisis
across the globe. Oman’s construction
industry has been resilient to the
economic downturn of late 2008 and
2009 and maintained a steady growth
rate. With a small number of large
projects, which are adding substantial

4

OER DOSSIER December 2010

value to the currently small sized
industry, the construction industry is
estimated to have posted substantial
real growth of 14.21 per cent year-onyear (y-o-y) in 2009, to reach a value of
OMR1.31bn (US$3.39bn).
The Government of Oman is floating
a large number of tenders currently
which clearly reflects that the country
is following the path of development
and progress and the situation is
encouraging for the construction
industry. Very recently, the Tender
Board awarded tenders for projects,
many of which are construction

projects, and opened bids for tenders
in construction work.
According to Oman Infrastructure
Report Q4 2010, “The construction
industry, valued at US$3.7bn this
year, should register growth rates
of around 5 per cent in the next
three years, which beats many of its
neighbours which are experiencing a
slower emergence from the real estate
downturn that hit some Gulf states
particularly hard in 2008.”
The infrastructure sector is the
driving force and there is an

properties, major industrial projects
with the doubling of gas exploration
activity and world-class tourism
infrastructure have greatly boosted
the demand in Oman for all types
of building materials, interior
furnishings and other construction
supplies. Also for moving earth or
for processing construction material,
heavy transportation and logistics
services to the construction sites, the
presence of heavy equipment is felt
strongly in the Sultanate of Oman.
The Omani construction industry
requires 600,000 tonnes of steel
every year, and a major part of this
need is fulfilled by local companies.
Rest of the demand is met through
imports from markets such as Turkey
and other countries. By mid-2008,
things took an abrupt turn when the
economic crisis had hit the market.
Most of the construction projects
were put on hold, which in turn
affected the manufacturing industry
as well.

emphasis on developing transport,
water supply, power transmission
network and airports. Projects are
coming up in the tourism sector also.
The transport sector is one of the
key areas generating value added
growth for the construction industry.
“Between 2010 and 2014 we are
forecasting Oman´s construction
industry to grow by 5.8 per cent on
average per year,’’ says the report.
The best part is that there is positivity
in the air. According to many industry
captains, in the next five years, the
construction industry in Oman is
poised to grow further because of the
infrastructure development projects
such as airports and hotels; it must
also be said that the demand materials
in the construction industry is on the
rise. The construction of capitalintensive prestigious residential

The steel prices fell but local
companies kept the supply chain
moving. The government has
reintroduced the 5 per cent custom
duty. “This will help the local market
and also keep the prices stable. We
are really thankful to the government
for this,” says Khalid Tawfiq Abdul
Rasoul, Deputy Executive Director,
Sharq Sohar Group.
Major projects update
Real estate had experienced a very
challenging year but Oman’s reservation
to enter the global property market had
helped to propel investments inspite of
world wide recession.
A string of multi-billion infrastructure
development projects funded by the
government is underway and in the
pipeline at present. Notwithstanding
the economic slowdown that
adversely affected real estate and
construction sectors, a large number
of major construction projects in
Oman has recorded steady progress.

Sohar Port: It is one of the largest port
development projects in the world
with current investments exceeding
$14 billion and is all set to continue
its development swiftly. The latest
initiative aimed at the development of
the port was the Tender Board awarding
project for construction of phase II of
Sohar Port in Al Batinah Region.
For the year 2010, Tender Board
awarded RO27.6mn for the project.
The construction of a deep water jetty
at the Port of Sohar is progressing
and is likely to be ready this year.
The 1380 meter long and 25 meter
deep-water jetty, when completed,
will be capable of receiving the next
generation of Very Large Ore Carriers
of 400,000 dwt. The Port of Sohar
will be one of the few ports in the
world with the possibility to receive
these large vessels when the jetty
becomes operational.
Al Batinah Coastal Road: One of the
biggest initiatives in the roads sector
is being implemented by Government
of Oman currently. The construction
of the 241 kilometers-long causeway
will be done in two phases.
India’s Nagarjuna Construction
Company (NCC) is undertaking
Section 2 of the first phase at a cost of
RO149 million. C. Chandran, Deputy
General Manager informs the work
has begun in March this year and is
progressing.
The project will open up the area to
tourism and commercial investment.
The all-weather, four-lane dual
carriageway runs for the most part,
parallel to the Gulf of Oman coast
from Naseem Garden to Khatmat
Malaha on the Sultanate’s border with
the UAE. Road projects have gained
prominence in the past few years.
Budget allocations for road building
has more than doubled to RO1.7bn
in the 2010 budget, and a host of new
contract awards speaks of goings- on
in this key sector.
December 2010 OER DOSSIER

5

OMAN CONSTRUCTION OvERvIEW

airports: Muscat and Salalah
International airports are the major
airports in oman that are undergoing
ambitious modernization and
development programme, needless
to say that aviation investment is
enjoying an upward trajectory.
regional airports: Smaller airports
are also being developed like Sohar
airport in al batinah region, a’
a
duqum airport project in al Wusta
region and adam airport in wilayat
of adam in al dakhiliyah region.
Construction of these regional
airports at Sohar, duqm, Ras al
Had and adam are progressing
and they will become operational
shortly after 2014. George bellew,
Ceo of oman airports Management
Company, comments that work
of all the four regional airports is
progressing satisfactorily and phase
1 of the new adam airport in the
dakhiliyah region is already being
inaugurated. The adam airport will
initially be used for VVIp flights, with
commercial operations to commence
by 2012.
In april 2010, it was reported that six
companies were competing for the
US$100mn contract for the second
phase of Sohar airport. The contract
for the second phase of the Ras al
Hadd airport, a contract worth over
US$100mn, was awarded to oman´s
Galfar engineering & Contracting
in February 2010. It is learnt that,
the Tender board has awarded the
consortium of L&T oman and Galfar
engineering & Contracting SaoG a
contract, valued at Ro294.110mn
to modernise and expand Salalah
International airport. authorities
announced a similar contract award
for the construction of the Muscat
International airport terminal at a cost
of Ro706mn a few months back.
The expansion of Salalah airport is
part of a strategic plan to develop
Salalah as a tourist destination. a new
state-of-the-art passenger terminal
6

OER DOSSIER December 2010

tenderS awarded fOr COnStruCtIOn PrOjeCtS —2010
• Salalah new airport – RO294.1mn
• Converting aerial power lines to ground cables in Sidab – RO1.8mn
• The same in some parts in Muscat Governorate – RO1.6mn
• Schools in the Northern Al Batinah Region – RO1.2mn
• Subsidiary power plant in the Al Wusta Region – RO751,018
• Updating wards at the Royal Hospital – RO530,628
• Wastewater treatment plant in the Wilayat of Quriyat – RO245,000
• Supply, installation and operation of maintenance equipment at the
electrical engines workshop of oman dry dock company – Ro334,819
• Additional work for the wastewater system and the treated water network
system for the waterfront development project worth Ro164,032

building is planned for Salalah
with a capacity to handle 1 million
passengers annually by 2013. The
first phase of developmental activities
at Salalah airport is expected to be
complete by the end of 2014.
Muscat International airport: a
new terminal is being constructed
at Muscat International airport. The
work which is expected to be complete
by 2014 will enable the biggest airport
in the Sultanate to handle 200,000
tonnes of cargo and 12 million
passengers annually. The first phase
of developmental activities at Muscat
international airport is expected to be
complete by the end of 2014.

as per the plan, the new control
tower and second runway would
be operational by the end of 2013
and passenger terminal and other
buildings would be complete by
2014 end. It is planned to expand
the capacity of the airport to 48
million passengers by 2050. This
would be done in three subsequent
phases. The new terminal building
will have a floor area of 290,000 sq.
mt. It would have an 80 bed hotel
for transfer passengers and a 101
metre high control tower and a new
air traffic management centre. The
existing runway at the airport will be
upgraded. a motorway to the airport
with three lanes in either direction

will also be built. Explaining the
progress in construction works,
Bellew said major construction
works are progressing at the airport
sites. As many as 4000 workers are
already engaged in work at Muscat
airport only, he said. “Earthworks
and ground stabilization works for
the development of the new terminals
are underway. Initial works, like fill
for the runway and taxiway are at an
advanced stage,” noted Bellew.
However, Reuter’s reports that the
development of Oman’s airport
in Muscat has been delayed after
excavation hit seawater. The additional
cost could be as high as $500 mn.
Oman National Railway
Project
The multi-billion Oman National
Railway Project is another major
infrastructure initiative of the
Government of Oman, due for
completion by 2017. Momentum is
building up for the Omani link in
the ambitious Gulf-wide rail network
project, as the invitation of two bids for
project management and design work
for the rail project in 2010 suggests.
As per the plans the national railway
network will be developed in four
phases. The project is going to be
one of the crucial in the construction
sector in Oman in the coming days.
Oman’s railway system will be a part
of the $20 billion 1,900 km long GCC
railway network.
Integrated Tourism Projects
Integrated tourism projects in Oman
are another important construction
activity centres which attract
huge investment and create job
opportunities. For The Wave Muscat,
2010 is a milestone with nine holes of
its Golf Course expected to be ready
this year. The economic slowdown did
not seem to have affected the projects
of Muriya Tourism Development.
At its Jebel Sifa complex, work
is in different stages in all the 18
apartments, while finishing work is
8

OER DOSSIER December 2010

nearing completion on five blocks.
Work on phase I of Muriya projects
at Al Sodah Island and Salalah are
also progressing. The first phase will
feature five hotels including one
boutique hotel. Nearing completion,
the boutique hotel will open in
the first quarter of 2011 and the
rest in 2013. Masirah Sea-Bridge:
The Government of Oman plans
to commission an international
consultant to study the feasibility
of constructing a sea-bridge linking
Masirah Island with the mainland.
Given the length of the channel,
which is roughly 30 km across at
Shannah, this bridge project is said
to be one of Oman’s biggest transport
infrastructure ventures.
When operational, the Masirah SeaBridge will open the island to major
economic, commercial and tourism
investment. Significant development
is envisaged on the mainland side of
the sea-bridge as well.
Duqm Beach Hotel: Galfar
Engineering & Contracting has been
awarded a contract to commence
construction of the Duqm Beach
Hotel, the first luxury property in the
Wusta region. Omran has awarded the
contract valued at RO 16.717 million
for the construction of the property.
This four-star hotel on a 10-hectare
plot overlooks the Arabian Sea and
the site is located a short distance
from Duqm Town.

Challenges Galore
Answering questions on the challenges
faced by the construction industry,
Fawzi Al-Harrassy, Executive Director,
Teejan Group, said currently the
government makes sound policies for
construction industry but it would
be more appreciated if those policies
were drafted in consultation with
the industry. He further suggested
that instituting awards to the best
contracting companies similar to His
Majesty’s Cup for Best Factories will
be of great encouragement to the sector
afterall construction industry makes
progress tangible and creates landmarks.
Due to the downfall across borders,
a lot of contracting firms are coming
to Oman currently. Competition itself
has become challenging, though
it also has positive connotations.
Following the entry of international
players in the construction sector,
state-of-the-art technology has been
introduced and there has been
improvement in other areas of the
industry also. Oman is not affected
by the economic slowdown that hit
the construction industry in other
countries and development activities
are progressing here in a planned
manner. The industry is evolving.
Though construction industry creates
the highest number of employment
opportunities and lays the foundation
for overall development of the
country, there is still a shortage of
skilled people, many would admit.

he long-term outlook for
the MeNa construction
sector remains intact
even as contractors in the
region continue to grapple with the
aftershocks of the collapse of the
dubai construction market, says
a report released by bofa
of Merrill
ofa
Lynch Global Research, titled, BofA
ML Equity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Industry Overview:
MENA Construction: The race to
diversify.
The MeNa construction and
infrastructure sector is the second

10 OER DOSSIER December 2010

largest in the emerging markets
after China, with an expected total
spend of US$600bn over the next
three years. The urgent need of
contractors to diversify away from
dubai is met with a wait-and-see
attitude from clients, private and
government alike, owing to a lack
of visibility on the macroeconomic
outlook, notes the report.
It sees seven key themes across
the MeNa infrastructure and
construction sectors, all of which
suggest that dubai-related issues are

still a drag on growth, including a
tight funding environment, margin
compression, receivables write-down
risk and intense competition.
tHe CaSe fOr Mena
InfraStruCture
The MeNa infrastructure and
construction market remains
among the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most attractive
given its sheer size. Meed projects
estimates the total value of planned
and un-awarded projects to be
US$2.5tn, of which 55 per cent are
in the construction sector and 28

next three years, though will be
more restrained compared with precrisis activity. A sharp, sustained
slowdown in oil prices accompanied
by a marked deterioration in the
external demand environment, as
well as scarcer funding opportunities,
represent the downside risks to
regional spending plans.
Underinvestment drives
future spending
A decade of underinvestment on
the supply side (as evidenced
by declining gross fixed capital
formation as a percentage of
GDP), the needs of a rapidly

past years, we remain comforted by the
fact that oil prices are still above the
GCC’s budget breakeven of $63/bbl.
Aggressive fiscal expansion
in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s 2010 total expenditure
was budgeted at SAR540bn
(US$144bn), 14 per cent higher
than the 2009 budgeted amount.
The actual expenditure could be
higher given the typical pattern of
overspending, and construction
(1,200 new schools, 8 new hospitals
planned, 6,400km of new roads, and
rehabilitation of water and sewage
networks) is likely to be the key

Infrastructure spending in the
GCC is likely to remain strong
over the next three years
growing population and economic
diversification on the back of the
hydrocarbon windfall continue
to provide the impetus for policymakers to press on with their
investment plans. The tighter
external funding environment has
contributed to streamline the overall
project pipeline and shelve the more
unrealistic planned investments. The
solid overall regional investment
outlook hides, however, countryspecific disparities.
per cent are in the infrastructure,
power and water/wastewater
sectors. The uneven spending boom
between 2005 and 2008 left several
MENA countries suffering from
infrastructure underinvestment. In
the medium term, the construction
and infrastructure spend will even
out – spreading from the UAE to
underinvested countries, such as
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
GCC: strong growth albeit a
lower rate
Infrastructure spending in the GCC
is likely to remain strong over the

Government balance sheets
still healthy
Overall, the GCC has managed
prudently its oil windfall. Fiscal
balances and current accounts
averaged 15.8 per cent and 19.8 per
cent of GDP respectively on aggregate
over 03-09. Saudi Arabia has been
retiring its domestic debt. Greater
investment has meant a rise in
external debt in the UAE and Qatar,
but this is backed by future cashgenerating LNG assets for the former
or overall sovereign wealth for the
latter. Although budgeted oil price
assumptions have increased over the

beneficiary. Over the next few years,
Saudi Arabia will press on with
fiscal expansion with the recently
approved SAR1.44trn ninth fiveyear development plan (2010-14).
Spending is earmarked to increase by
67 per cent versus the previous plan.
Kuwait opening for business
In Kuwait, at KWD16.2bn (US$56bn),
the budget for the fiscal year FY10/11
is set 33 per cent higher than the
previous year, with an oil price
assumption of US$43/bbl. Capital
expenditures and land purchases are
projected at KWD2.1bn, up 66 per
cent Year on Year. The Ministry of
Public Works is set to receive 26 per
cent of budgeted investment capital
while the Ministry of Electricity &
Water would get 49 per cent.
Hydrocarbon capital expenditures
are part of the US$104bn recentlyannounced 5-yr development plan.
Given the potential administrative
delays and the lack of appropriate
absorption capacity, we think a
partial implementation (20-30 per
cent of planned projects) could be in
December 2010 OER DOSSIER

11

GCC OvERvIEW

the cards, but this should still be a
game changer.
Qatar BudGet IS tHe eMIrate’S
LarGeSt tO date
Qatar’s Fy10/11 budget has been
set at Q
QaR118bn (US$32bn), up
25 per cent from the previous one.
development expenditures are
projected to increase by 15 per cent
to Q
QaR43.5bn, with oil assumed at
US$50/bbl. Q
QaR35.5bn is earmarked
to infrastructure projects (airport,
port, roads, electricity & water) while
healthcare and education budgets
(Q R25.9bn) include construction of
(Qa
new hospitals and schools.
OMan fOCuSInG On GaS and
InfraStruCture deveLOPMent
The 2010 budget has been set at
Ro7.2bn (US$19bn), up 12 per
cent over the 2009 budget. Capital
expenditures are set to rise by 11
per cent to Ro2.1bn to support
12 OER DOSSIER December 2010

key infrastructure projects (20 per
cent of which is going towards
gas production). Ro937mn would
be allocated to new development
(schools, health centres, desalination
plant) projects in 2010. The oil price
assumption remains prudent at
US$50/bbl.
Mena COnStruCtIOn In
tranSItIOn
The MeNa construction sector
continues to grapple with the effects of
the dubai real estate market collapse.
as a result, we see six main themes
prevailing across the construction and
infrastructure sectors:
the push to diversify away from
dubai: MeNa contractors are in a
rush to reduce their exposure to the
unattractive and oversupplied dubai
market. With relatively low barriers to
entry, abu dhabi and Qatar absorbed
some of dubai’s overcapacity but

then quickly became overcrowded as
evidenced by the average number of
bidding epC contractors per project
rising from six in 2009 to fifteen
in 2010. a slowdown in the pace
of awarding new contracts in abu
dhabi, prolonging of the average
project lifecycle and suspension of
several mega projects left several
Uae contractors with no choice but
to accept lower margins on projects
and to explore diversification into
unfamiliar markets.
MeNa contractors’ days receivable
have risen dramatically to well
above 315 since the dubai real estate
market came to a grinding halt at
the end of 2008. Nonetheless, little
provisioning took place as contractors
set up extended payment schedules.
additionally, contractors sought to
deal with their rising receivables
balances by delaying payments to
their suppliers and subcontractors,

Modern Concrete Products LLC
(a member of Assarain Group)

Sohar
Owners of the latest, most modern, state-of-the-art
Concrete Products Manufacturing Plant in GCC
Premier and largest manufacturers of all Concrete products in Sohar/Al Batinah region
with widest range of designs, colours, combinations and choice in Interlocking
Tiles and Building Blocks

thus creating what we believe will be
an extended deadlock until demand
returns. Contractors’ lung capacity is
now defined by the strength of their
balance sheets, for now it is the only
way that Dubai-based contractors
can withstand the liquidity crises
and, more importantly, expand
geographically.
Compressing margins: Construction
margins in MENA are coming under
severe pressure thanks to 1) intense
competition resulting from regional
overcapacity as well as international
players, 2) a slowdown in awarding
new projects and client-driven delays
in current projects, and 3) continued
project cancellations.
The margin squeeze issue has been
flagged by all contractors and our

strength of the economic recovery.
Banks play a bigger role in the
sector: The UAE Property Market
report published by analysts of
Bofa Merryl Lynch notes that banks
remain risk averse when it comes
to financing construction projects
in general. Contractors say that this
situation is not confined to the UAE
alone and banks’ lending criteria are
tough across the region. Banks are
no longer satisfied with the balance
sheet position of contractors’ local
subsidiaries. Corporate guarantees
are now being required and banks
have denied contractors funding
when the project client has been
deemed high risk, regardless of the
contractor’s financial health. This has
led some contractors to resort to nontraditional sources of capital.

MENA has been a key
international market for Korean
contractors since the late 1980s
channel checks report that several
projects already face cost overruns as
a result of changes to the specs made
by the client without any adjustment
in contract value for the additional
work performed.
According to the report, the risk to
margins will persist over the near
term. For civil construction projects,
the expected margins range between
6 per cent and 7 per cent.
Clients adopt a wait-and-see attitude:
According to the report, awards
postponement and project delays
are the new major risk to MENA
contractors. The average lifecycle of
a project has been extended from 22
months to 35 months. Also, the rate
of monthly project awards across
MENA remains well below the twoyear average. The main reason, in our
opinion, is a tight lending environment
driven by uncertainty about the
14 OER DOSSIER December 2010

Korean contractors a force to be
reckoned with: Prior to the collapse of
the Dubai construction market, 71 per
cent of total UAE construction awards
went to MENA contractors. Korean
companies represented only 6 per cent
of all contracts awarded in 2008.
In 2009, the picture changed, with
the MENA contractors’ market
share shrinking to 34 per cent and
Korean competitors also capturing
34 per cent of total UAE construction
awards. This is due largely to the
award of the US$20bn ENEC nuclear
power plant project in Q4 2009.
However, this is also due to
the decline in residential and
commercial construction project
awards and the rise in infrastructure
and energy awards, where Korean
contractors have the advantage of
technical expertise over their MENA
counterparts.

A similar pattern has been observed
in the Saudi market, where Korean
contractors went from having a 4 per
cent market share of 2008 project
awards to an 11 per cent share in 2009.
The Korean contractors’ active
participation in MENA projects is
not a new phenomenon. MENA has
been a key international market for
Korean contractors since the late
1980s and, from 2004, has grown to
become the largest. According to the
International Contractors Association
of Korea (ICAK), Middle East projects
represented 62 per cent of Korean
contractors’ US$401.1bn overseas
projects as of 25 September 2010.
The report expects underinvestment
on the supply side to drive future
spending based on the needs of a
rapidly growing population and
economic diversification. It sees
Korean E&C companies as the
primary beneficiaries of this together
with the incumbent players.
Korean E&C companies are targeting
the following types of projects: 1)
power/nuclear plants, 2) waterrelated works and 3) steel mills.
Extended relationships with local
clients and vendors could be an
opportunity for them, notes the
report. In this regard, Samsung
Engineering, the leading overseas
player with far-sighted management,
and Daelim Ind will benefit the most.
Chinese market share small but
growing: Chinese contractors have
also made significant inroads into the
hard-to-penetrate Saudi market: their
1 per cent market share of all projects
awarded in 2008 rose to 11 per cent
in 2009, thanks to major railway and
power projects in the Kingdom. We
expect Chinese contractors’ activity
to be mainly restricted to large
infrastructure projects, especially
in Saudi Arabia, such as the King
AbdulAziz International Airport project
and Package 2 of the Haramain HighSpeed Rail Network (HHR) project.

Interview

Firing the economic
growth

With the construction and infrastructural
development around, future is bright for the Assarain
Group of Companies, Says its managing director
Khalid Al Wahaibi
What are the highlights
of the performance of
Assarain Group of Companies
in 2010 as compared to 2009?
Many of our companies felt a dip
during 2009 which thankfully has
been overcome by 2010. Major
achievements of the construction
related companies of our Group would
be the consolidation of the newly
setup Modern Concrete Products
which has firmly established itself
as a premier concrete products
manufacturer in the Batinah region. At
Assarain Concrete Products we have
invested in a finishing line which
will add value and increase the range
of our concrete pavers, blocks and
walling items.
Assarain Furnishing has strengthened
its design studio and can offer
interior design services for all kinds
of commercial establishments and
residential houses.
Assarain Telecom has strengthened
its offerings up to Cat 7 category in
its structured cabling projects that we
do by representing Krone in Oman.
KONE lifts another division of our
company is now a market leader in
elevators in Oman with a huge number
of elevators in service all over Oman.
In the context of diversification,
our Group is likely to make several
investments in the coming years.
Assarain Foods had plans to
venture into areas like sea
food and specialty products,
any update on that?
16 OER DOSSIER December 2010

Yes, we are in the process of starting
whole round sea food. We have
already met with one potential
supplier in Cochin and contacted
other suppliers.
We have already taken active
distributorship of Freshly Frozen
Foods brand from Dubai in January
2010. The brand consists of a
large array of processed food. We
are looking forward to strongly
establishing this brand further in the
Oman market in 2011.
Which are the new Telecom
Projects you are working on?
The following are some of the new
major projects we are currently
working on:
1) ADC Krone Cat6 structured cabling
solution for New Military Hospital
Salalah MOD.

What do you think is
the future outlook for
industries in Oman where
Assarain Group is operating?
As everyone is aware that the
oil prices have been averaging
significantly above the Government
projections in its budget for 2010.
If this trend continues for the next
two to three years, we can expect
significant investment and projects
in the construction and infrastructure
field which bodes well for all the
construction related companies in
our Group.
With the developments going on
in Duqm, major road works across
the country and the setting up of
the Railway line and the five new
Airports will definitely provide huge
opportunities for all construction
and service industries that Assarain
Group is operating in.
Further with demographic growth in
the Omani population there will be
requirement for houses and increased
demand for all products and services.
I can safely say that we do have a
bright future if we are willing to
work hard and remain focused and
steadfast in our investment approach.

Interview

Innovative
Solutions
Alok Varma, the General Manager of Assarain Concrete
Products & Trading LLC tells OER Dossier about the
perfomance of his company and that of the concrete
products industry

Alok Varma, General Manager, ACP

What are the highlights
of the performance of
Assarain Concrete Products
& Trading this year?
Being the largest and one of the
most respected concrete products
manufacturing companies, we have
several achievements to our credit. We
have executed external landscaping of
several prestigious projects. We have
also catered to leading contracting
companies and ministries for many of
their prestigious projects this year.

The thrust of our strategy this year
too, as always, is on excellence,
customer service and taking up
challenges despite difficulties and
demanding schedules. Currently,
the demand for ACPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s products

18 OER DOSSIER December 2010

Another highlight of our performance
is being chosen to supply concrete
products for the execution of Al
Batinah Coastal Road, in one of their
segments.

has further gone up. We have even
changed production schedules every 8
hours to meet the increase in demand.
One of the major reasons for our
unprecedented success is our ability
to supply large quantities in a limited
time with consistency and without
compromising on quality and ethics.
Could you please comment
on the technological
innovations implemented
in the company and the
steps taken for product
diversification?
Our company has always been the
front-runner in upgrading and adopting
innovative technology in different
areas. Way back in 1992, we made

a major technological shift towards
use of world’s best brand of concrete
products manufacturing plant.
Assarain Group of Companies have
two concrete product companies in
Oman viz., Assarain Concrete Products
& Trading LLC, Muscat & Modern
Concrete Products LLC, Sohar, Muscat
(called ACP & MCP respectively in
industry parlance). ACP underwent
major modernization programmes
during different periods in the past by
adopting technologically innovative
concrete manufacturing plants,
whereas MCP has technologically
the most advanced plant as it is a
relatively new plant.
We also invest in technically well
qualified personnel who have the
expertise to make use of technology
to produce quality products and
innovate them. We have launched
technologically advanced and
innovative products such as green
concrete products, new age product
types in the luxury segment as well
as technologically most advanced
surface finishes. We are poised to
introduce technologically advanced
concrete products viz., over the
entire genre of Interlocking tiles,
kerb stones, patterned tiles, paving
slabs, building blocks, light weight
blocks, dry-mix plasters, decorative
plasters, tile adhesives and many
other such products.
We have also diversified to provide
single roof access to external
landscaping products such as
planters, bollards, benches, play
equipments, composite manhole
covers, artificial grass, lighting
systems, etc.
Could you please explain
the environment friendly
initiatives at Assarain
Concrete Products and
Trading?
As part of a socially responsible
business group viz. Assarain Group,
ACP is fully committed towards

protection of environment. ACP is all
set to receive its certification for ISO
9001:2008 for quality; ISO 14001:2004
for environment and OHSAS
18001:2007 for occupational health
and safety management systems
within the company.
Among all the concrete products
manufacturers, we are one of the first
to go in for integrated management
systems covering all the three areas of
quality, environment, health & safety.
This apart, ACP has already started
producing green concrete products
which have a lower carbon footprint
and these products are also gaining
acceptance among many companies
in Oman.
How was the performance of
concrete products industry
in Oman in 2010 compared to
2009?
Oman also felt a comparatively lower
impact of economic slowdown in its
construction activities in the later part
of 2009 till say August 2010.
However, the economy is back in
action currently. If I extrapolate my
present numbers to 2010 closure, I am
sure we shall beat our 2009 numbers.
As the General Manager of ACP, I
can say we have managed quite well
throughout by our well conceived
strategies, and above all, by the
sustained customer preference.
Oman has embarked on a
massive infrastructure
development initiative. How
is it going to benefit the
concrete products industry?
All are aware that many
infrastructure development projects
have already been conceived. This
apart, tourism, education and health
are also the main thrust areas of the
government to achieve intelligent yet
inclusive growth. Hence, I foresee
a positive future for the concrete
product industry.
I am sure, the concrete products

manufacturers in the organized
sector having the state-of-the-art
large capacity stationary plants are
well poised on the demand side in
the coming years. However, the key
would be “how many projects” are
under actual implementation and
“how much” is the actual lift-off
on the time line versus the current
supply capacity.
What do you think is
the future outlook for
concrete products industry
in Oman in general and
Assarain Concrete Products
and Trading in particular?
The concrete products industry is
clearly divided into two categories:
(i) manufacturing plants having
large, high quality stationary plants,
forming the organized sector; and
(ii) small scale concrete products
manufacturing units owning egglaying plants with rudimentary
technology in manufacturing, forming
the unorganized sector.
Here, the end-users suffer because
of a big divide in the quality
parameters and hence, the concrete
products industry should not only
have specifications on the “product”
manufactured, but also on the
“manufacturing process” deployed.
This will therefore eliminate the
low quality, low-priced products
presently rampant in the market. The
infrastructure industry as a whole will
stand to also gain in the overall life
cycle costs also.
The future outlook of the concrete
product industry is quite bright if the
industry and the government sector
work hand-in-hand on implementing
better checks, specifications and
controls. ACP also has a very bright
future due to its dynamic strategies,
organic and proactive thought
process and above all, its customer
orientation, quality and range of
product alternatives offered to its
valued customers.
December 2010 OER DOSSIER

19

TECHNOlOGy

SCaLeS
R
Rede
FINed
l&T modular fabricaTion yard will conTribuTe
siGnificanTly To The proGress, prosperiTy and
TechnoloGical GrowTh of The sulTanaTe. reporTs
susmiTa de
L&T Modular Fabrication yard
y
(L&T MFy), a joint venture between
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Zubair
Corporation of oman, is another
feather in the cap of the Sultanate.
This modular fabrication facility is
omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maiden effort to build mega
structures and provide logistical
advantage to the upstream oil & gas
projects coming up in the Middle east
and africa.
20 OER DOSSIER December 2010

dedicated to build structures never
been built before in this part of the
world, this facility is expected to
transform the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capabilities for
the fabrication of offshore equipment
for the oil and gas sector.
L&T MFy LLC has signed an
agreement with Sohar Industrial port
Company to establish its facility in
the Gulf.

Located in the Sohar Industrial port
area, this all-weather fabrication yard
sprawls across 400,000 square metres
and has a dedicated load out facility.
The yard is well equipped for heavy
fabrication, for testing of sophisticated
equipment and loadout of ultra large
modules with an annual loadout
capacity of up to 50,000 tonnes.
a 300 mt reinforcement jetty juts out
into the sea.

Technology
Though the manufacturing sector
in the Middle East region is still at
its nascent stage, it enjoys unique
advantages due to its strategic
location. This, in sync with the
port facilities at Sohar, provides
opportunity to establish a mega
manufacturing facility supplying
equipment to large oil and gas
companies around the world.
The facility can fabricate and supply
an impressive array of complex
modules such as off shore oil & gas
process topsides weighing upto
20,000 MT, jack up drilling rigs,
Floating production storage and
offloading vessels (FPSO) and semisubmersibles. It will also make large
onshore modules, LWG and CCR
modules, large ethylene furnaces,
reformers, fire heaters and similar
large dimensional equipment, informs
one of the L&T officials.
L&T MFY is certified to various
international standards and has
the Certificate of authority to use
API monograms for products
manufactured. The yard is authorised
to use ASME and NBBI stamps.
Mega structure
This particular large piece of structure
or MHN process platform, which
weighs 12,000 tonne, is ordered
by Oil & Natural Gas Corporation
(ONGC). The structure is over $70
mn worth export value. It is 85 mt in
length, 62 mt in height and 80 mt in
width. Transported by special barges,
it will be installed by L&T with its
own installation vessel in Bombay
High offshore field. Serving as
exploration, production and process
platforms, it can be installed offshore
as well as onshore.
This facility will contribute
significantly to the progress,
prosperity and technological growth
of the Sultanate and its industry
and will significantly augment
the country’s industrial base by
manufacturing latest-generation
22 OER DOSSIER December 2010

Jetty/Quay Wall
Length – 300 m
Level – + 4.6 m w.r.t Chart Datum
Heavy Load-out facility – 10,000 MT
Waterfront – 500 m
products. The company has invested
$60 million in the Sohar facility so
far. “It will go up to $100 million
when we go for expansion. It is a 100
per cent export-oriented unit and
will bring in a lot of export revenue,”
says K. Venkataraman, president
(Operations) and a board member of
Larsen & Toubro.
Also, plans are afoot to invest another
$40 million for expanding facilities
at Sohar for manufacturing structures
beyond Gulf region, which includes
Australia and South Asian countries.
At present, Sohar yard’s clientele
includes large national oil companies
like Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
(ONGC), Adnoc, Saudi Aramco and
Chevron among others.
Towards Omanisation
The labour-intensive modular
fabrication yard offers considerable
employment opportunities. The
company has formulated an elaborate
programme for training Omani youth
to acquire the required technical
skills, and is working in close

cooperation with the Ministry of
Manpower to this end.
Commenting on the issue, L&T
chairman and managing director A.
M. Naik said, “The venture will focus
on sustainable growth in harmony
with the environment and the
community around us.
Omanisation, therefore, is high on
our agenda. Our emphasis on training
is raising the skill levels of our Omani
personnel to world standards.”
From shopfloor to management
level, training is available at every
stage of performance.
Venkataraman pointed out that
the company has been providing
training for 215 candidates in
Saham Vocational Training Institute.
“Of this, 83 have been absorbed,
after completing their training
programmes.”
Power of Partnership
The inaugural ceremony of L&T
MFY’s facility marked the Sultanate’s
40th anniversary and was graced
by Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki,
minister of national economy and
other dignitaries.
Commenting on the occasion
Zubair Group chairman, Rashad bin
Mohammad Al Zubair said: “We are
proud of our 15 years long association
with Larsen and Toubro, one of the
largest and most respected business
entities from India”. L&T and Zubair
Corporation have a range of offerings
including joint ventures.
Wisdom and foresight are the two
strongpoints of Oman’s economic
planning. L&T MFY is part of that
practical wisdom designed to secure
the country’s long-term prosperity.
This is a win-win situation for both
India and Oman. While India gets
location advantage, Oman generates
revenue and develops technical
skills and takes one step ahead in
Omanisation drive.

building materials

A
name
to
reckon
with
Bahwan Building Materials is diversifying into new
materials and products to meet the current market
demand. Sourav Sen, General Manager, speaks to OER
Dossier on his company’s initiatives and general trends
in the construction market
leadership of Chairman Sheikh
Suhail Salim Bahwan, the business
is moving up the growth trajectory.
Recently director Amal Bahwan,
a new generation dynamic leader,
has also brought in many effective
changes for the company to gear up
for a sustainable long term growth.
What is your current
business strategy?
The company has evolved and
redefined its business over the last
two years, following a boom in
infrastructure. A business that was
steel driven is now offering materials
solutions for construction projects.
The services offered by the company
span right from making a foundation
to the completion of any project. The
approach today is four-pronged:
• Retail and Distribution
• Project Solutioning and Enterprise
account management
• New products -Special, niche, more
branded Products
• Commodity materials
Sourav Sen, General Manager, Bahwan Building Materials LLC

Tell us about Bahwan
Building Materials in a
nutshell
Spearheading the construction
materials market, Bahwan Building
Materials (BBM) of Suhail Bahwan
Group is a trading company in
commodities, and is also a distributor
of branded building items. It offers
an impressive array of quality
products to consultants, contractors
24 OER DOSSIER December 2010

and customers. All these products
from local and major international
manufacturers are available under
one roof at competitive prices, steel,
cables, tiles and sanitary ware being
its core business.
Within the Suhail Bahwan Group
Holdings, Bahwan Building Material
is the largest company and is one of
the oldest, too. Under the visionary

The company sources materials more
locally than internationally. With a
well-maintained inventory, delivery
is executed within 24 hours from
the multi-nodal warehouses and
stockyard facilities.
Could you elucidate these
approaches?
v In the retail sector, the Bahwan
brand name stands for trust and
reliability both in the capital and

in the interiors. Catering to market
needs, the state-of-the-art retail
showrooms across Oman displays
tiles, sanitary and other products.
The one at Wadi Kabir offers a wide
range of tiles and bathroom products
ranging from very high to low end to
suit everybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget.
We have Elegance, the latest
boutique series of the reputed
RAK brand of tiles from UAE in
our portfolio, and contemporary
designs are coming from Black &
Decker. The approach of creating
concept rooms and bathrooms in a
simulated environment inside the
showroom, where a customer is able
to see how it will look in his private
space, has paid dividend generating
a lot interests.
Variety of products, a wide price
range, Bahwan as a brand name and
its far and wide reach â&#x20AC;&#x201C; these are the
core strengths of Bahwan Building
Materials which help it to stand in
good stead in competition with local
and Chinese tiles manufacturers.
Bahwan Building Materials opened
new branches in Ibri, Mabella, Sinaw
this year, and is eyeing a few more in
areas not tapped yet. It is through
150 to 160 dealers all across Oman
that Bahwan gets a wide reach to farflung areas.
v We are present significantly at
most large infrastructure projects
in Oman whether its Airport govt
project, Batinah Coast, Quryat
Housing, Duqum Port, Southern
Express and other private
constructions. Our approach is to
provide material solutioning, just in
time deliveries and continuous value
management with purchase, project
and finance teams of clients.
v We are now diversifying into
new materials and products to meet
the current market demand and our
company is focusing into stainless
steel. These are our niche areas.

Stainless steel is in demand in oil &
gas projects in coastal areas where
corrosion is a challenge.
Sewage and waste water and the
drinking water are the major growth
areas in the coming years. We have
ventured into ductile iron pipe
business first time with a reputed
company from India, and are looking
into niche products like customised
ACO drainage products with high
value application, imported from
Germany. We source our materials
from Asia and Europe and also
from UAE. Countries as far as East
Europe are also approaching us. This
sourcing strategy dovetails well with
our current product strategy. We are
also spreading out in the dimming
lights area, industrial poles, and
exterior solar lightings; these, with
LED lightings will be our growth
areas in the coming future.
v Apart from Steel rebars from
Oman, GCC and Turkey we have
brought back wood business in a big
way. We are importing best quality
wood and plies from Indonesia,
Malaysia, China and Chile, which
are popular in this region. We never
compromise on quality.
We have significantly expanded
also. We have more than tripled
our cable business and going
very strong in that area, thanks to
our partnership with local cable
companies, Specialty Cables from
other international markets.
What is your take on
Omanisation and the team
you are leading?
We have attained a very high rate of
Omanisation which is close to 67 per
cent by 2010 end. We are training
them in retail and they are doing
wonderful job in the branches and
in the Wadi Kabir showroom. For
training and exposure, we periodically
send them to our principals. Even our
new team in Projects and Accounts
are very enterprising and supporting

the middle management to implement
mentioned strategies with great vigour.
How do you cope with the
challenges you face in the
market?
Owing to competition, margins
are thinner nowadays. To manage
cost with such a wide distribution
network and operations, spanning so
many segments and products, is itself
a big challenge.
Managing the commodity cycle is
also a huge challenge. What is crucial
for our business is that one must
have insights into what drives the
commodities like steel and copper up
and brings them down, so that one
can be prepared for any eventuality.
We have to be prepared for the
downfall as much as we have to be
for the upside of the market.
So one has to be very cautious
and knowledgeable and cannot
take everything at face value. One
has to look for signals or tell-tale
evidence from market dynamics.
We are helping the main commodity
marketing sales team and especially
the sourcing commercial team,
to understand what those signals
are. One must have a database and
knowledge and a constant online
mechanism for interpreting situations
and subsequent dissemination.
Our directors allow a lot of
freewheeling interaction and
knowledge sharing to happen. I
ensure that it is completely shared
across all our marketing, sales, retail
teams in branch and capital when
commodities are being bought and
sold. Risks and pitfalls are going to
happen, there is no denying that.
But it is controlled when dealt with
knowledge of global trends like
fluctuating currency and raw material
costs as well having full customer
insights. The key is, not to speculate
but develop an ability to see through
in a highly fluctuating marketing at
this point of time.
December 2010 OER DOSSIER

25

Electrical Industry

Bright days ahead for
lighting
industry
The revival in construction industry is likely to spur
growth in the global lighting fixtures industry.
Demand for energy saving lighting may go up in the
coming days

G

lobal lighting fixtures
industry is expected to
come out of the effects
of financial slowdown in
the coming days. Studies conducted
by different agencies point to the
industry registering significant
growth in the coming five years.

According to a report released by
Global Industry Analysts (GIA), titled
Lighting Fixtures: A Global Strategic
Business Report, the lighting fixtures
market across the world will touch
US$118 billion by 2015. The growth
of global lighting fixtures market will
be driven by the rise in demand for
roadway lighting and other outdoor
lighting fixtures, and increasing nonresidential construction work in rising
economies of Eastern Europe and Asia.
26 OER DOSSIER December 2010

The market growth will also be
propelled by advanced energy
efficient, durable solutions, including
portable fixtures with built-in LEDs,
electronic ballasts, high intensity
discharge lighting, and nonincandescent portable fixtures.
According to another study,
worldwide demand for lighting
fixtures is projected to grow by 5.8
per cent annually through 2014, a
significant improvement from the
market advances registered during the
2004-2009 period.
Product sales will be driven by,
acceleration in residential building
construction activity and continued
growth in non-building construction
expenditures. A strong rebound in

motor vehicle output is also likely to
help growth of the industry.
Revival of construction activities at
several large scale projects around
the world after the economic
slowdown of 2009 are also expected
to help growth of electrical products
market in late 2010 and 2011. Large
scale public sector expenditure in
housing, education and health will
also sustain the market in the short
to medium term, underpinning
demand in the market.
Past performance
World electrical products market
recorded fast growth revenue-wise
in 2006 and 2007 but profitability
growth did not keep pace with
volumes. In 2007, the combined sales

of the electrical wholesalers reached
around ÂŁ4.55 billion, according to
industry statistics reflecting overall
growth of over 13 per cent since 2004.
One of the key factors which provided
growth for the electrical wholesale
market in terms of sales revenue was
the increased cost of many of the key
raw materials used in products sold
through this sector, such as steel,
copper, plastics etc., as well as the
rising price of fuel contributing to
higher transportation costs. All these
lead to increased prices.
These issues partly contributed to the
rapid growth in the market in 2006
in terms of revenues, but eventually
they had a negative impact on
profitability levels, both for electrical
product manufacturers and the
electrical wholesalers themselves.
Eventually, inflationary pressures
from fuel, energy and materials
in particular, dampened revenue
growth in the medium to longer term,
sustaining pricing pressure, along
with subsequent negative impact on
profitability.
BRIC outperforming other
investment markets
The Global Industry Analystsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; study
predicts that lighting fixtures industry
in Brazil, Russia, India and China
(BRIC markets) will outperform other
markets in the coming years.
The study includes the key segments

In a few industrialized nations like
Austria and Belgium, the rate of
growth through 2014 will be similar
to advances posted in developing
areas, attributable in large part to a
strong upturn in automotive industry
production after a period of decline.
Sales of lighting fixtures in developed
areas will also be spurred by an
acceleration in economic growth and
higher per capita income, leading

Revival of construction
activities worldwide are
expected to help growth of
electrical products market
Lighting B.V, Morlite Systems,
Panasonic Electric Works, Koito
Manufacturing Company, Hubbell
Lighting, GE Lighting Systems,
Cooper Lighting, Catalina Lighting,
and Acuity Brands Lighting.
According to another study, China
alone will account for one-third of
all additional demand through 2014,
strengthening its position as the largest
lighting fixture market in the world.
Sales gains are also expected to be
healthy in lower-volume markets such
as Thailand, India, Russia, Vietnam,
Turkey, Mexico and Indonesia.
Lighting fixture demand in developed
parts of the world will rise as well.

to a pickup in consumer spending
and renewed strength in residential
building construction activity.
Vehicular, non-portable
fixtures
Vehicular fixtures will record the
fastest market gains of any major
product segment through 2014,
stimulated by increases in global
motor vehicle output and supported
by a shift in the product mix toward
more expensive units, including high
intensity discharge and light-emitting
diode (LED) lighting fixtures.
Because of the anticipated recovery in
industry production in countries such

Electrical industry

as Canada, France, Italy, the UK and
the US â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all of which have registered
substantial drops in automotive
output in recent years â&#x20AC;&#x201C; vehicular
lighting fixture sales advances in
these areas will be more robust than
in many developing nations.
Non-portable outdoor fixture
demand will expand at the next
fastest rate, fueled by ongoing
non-building construction
expenditure growth and an
improvement in residential building
construction spending. Efforts to
increase the energy efficiency of
outdoor lighting equipment which
is already in place will contribute to
sales growth as well.

In 2010, the lighting market
consumption trends and changes
in high-profile holdings in the
established market, based on
individuality, energy, service,
professional and other consumer
demands will dominate the
lighting market.
According to another survey,
consumers are also becoming more
rational and mature, and this has
brought to light industry greater
challenges and opportunities. In the
present market one who is closest to
consumers will win the market.
The current trends in global lighting
fixtures market are the following:

Increased demand for
customised lamps
In 2010, the demand growth for
traditional lighting has been slowed
down slightly, but customers in the
pursuit of personal lighting products
are increasing rapidly.
People are focusing more on the
choice of lighting design and overall
aesthetic harmony of decoration. In
addition, people are also preferring
lighting that adapts to different
occasions and functions such as
writing and having dinner.
Different types of lights like writing
lights, emergency lights, and dining
room lamps have many takers.

Brand preference
In the lighting market, consumers
are likely to become more brand
conscious and are likely to opt
high quality products, especially
the high-end market of consumers.
When consumers select the high-end
lighting they are likely to pay more
attention to the brand and quality of
lighting. They will pay more attention
to the intrinsic value of the material
and production process as well.
Office lighting to be in
demand
According to some surveys, growth
in development of commercial and
office spaces around the world will
lead to an increase in demand for
office lighting.
In China, due to the sharp rise in
operating costs, the Pearl River Delta,
Yangtze River Deltaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s labor-intensive
industries have begun to shift to the
Mainland, and a large number of
plants now need lighting products; on
the other hand, the need for industrial
upgrading in the Yangtze River Delta
and Pearl River Deltaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manufacturing
environment will result in the
increasing demand for office lighting.
As the business community continues
to develop, more and more people
want to improve lighting at factories
and offices to provide better work
environment, allowing staff to be
more pleasant.
Office lighting has more and more

Currently, customers in the
pursuit of personal lighting
products are increasing rapidly
extensive group of users, including
small and medium enterprises,
individual offices and private study,
state-owned and collective, joint-stock
companies and large enterprises. The
needs of the office environment and
more diversity not merely demands
light but quality lighting fixtures that
could create a healthy, comfortable,
intelligent office environment.
Five major popular themes in
modern office lighting are modern
minimalist, cutting-edge fashion, art,
environmental technology and classic

luxury. Office lighting applications
will meet environmental and user
groupsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs with different models.
Many industry sources said that by
2011, the variety of office lighting
style will continue to increase.
Increasing demand for
energy saving
The coming days are likely to witness
more demand for energy saving
lighting. Compared with other types
of buildings, consumption of power
in large commercial buildings is high.
According to statistics, in developed

Electrical Industry

countries, energy consumption by
commercial buildings is 40 per cent of
the total energy consumption. China’s
building energy consumption accounts
for about 23 per cent of the total
energy consumption currently and is
projected to increase to 35 per cent by
2010. Electricity is a major expenditure
after labour costs. Therefore, at many
shopping malls and departmental
stores, energy saving lighting products
are on high demand.
In 2009, several big retail chains
switched on to energy-saving LED
lighting for more energy-savings.
This energy saving lighting products
are supposed to make further
inroads into the shopping malls,
supermarkets and specialty stores.
Hotel lighting
The growth of hotel industry has
influenced the development of
hotel lighting. Speakers at the ‘2009
International Hotel Investment
Forum’, had pointed out that the
golden age of China’s tourism and
catering industry is coming.
The direction for future investment is
mainly in second and third tier cities.
That means hotels in the second and
third tier cities will increase their
demand for lighting. Moreover, in
tune with the ratings of the hotel,
demand for simple, personalised
hotel lighting products will be higher
than the demand for high-grade
decorative lighting. The intelligent
lighting system solutions have become

popular in a large number of upscale
hotels throughout the world currently.
This is helping them reduce operating
costs and enhance the hotel’s comfort
and quality. In a service-oriented hotel
industry, customer personalization,
intelligent and interactive services
are especially in demand. Therefore,
hotel intelligent lighting systems
have gradually become the key hotel
decoration. Hotel intelligent lighting
control products have entered the
mature, practical, reliable stage. In the
coming years, intelligent lighting system
solutions will continue to be the focus
of the hotel industry and will gradually
spread to different types of hotels.
Project lighting still
attractive
The past two years was the golden
period for green engineering lighting
in China driven by the infrastructure
development for Olympic Games,
Shanghai World Expo and the
Guangzhou Asian Games. Indoor
lighting products like fluorescent
lamps and lamp panels were in
demand for infrastructure projects,
particularly schools and hospitals
in recent years, for the effective
implementation of energy-saving
goals. The use of T5 lamps is
becoming increasingly common in
engineering projects currently.
Increasing demand for
professional services
“With the breakthrough in technology,
products will tend to become
homogeneous in the future and the

The designs which are popular
include vintage throwbacks to
sleek, cutting-edge ones
society will be a service-based one.
Engineering quality and service will
become equally important. To this
end, many lighting fixtures companies
in developed economies have formed
a complete sale and after-sales service
systems and established 24-hour
response mechanisms. As more huge
projects are coming up, maintenance
of a full range of professional services
will become important for lighting
fixtures companies.
Lighting design trends
2010 is a year of exciting new trends
in lighting designs. The designs
which are popular include vintage
throwbacks to sleek, cutting-edge ones.
There is something stylish in store for
every taste and budget. Some of the
models in vogue are the following.
The ‘Edison’ Look: In lighting designs,
this design has many takers currently.
This design looks highly modern, but
also celebrates lighting’s roots in a
fun way. We love the sleek look of the
Dimond “Mont Alto” table lamp.
Farmhouse Fixtures: A major 2010
lighting trend that is sure to stick
around, ‘Farmhouse’ light fixtures,
usually with open cage designs and
traditional candelabra interiors, strike

that perfect balance between a fancy
chandelier and functional pendant.
Try a farmhouse pendant in your foyer
for an inviting touch. Better yet, try
it over your kitchen table. The Savoy
House “Sheridan” foyer light (now
available) definitely strikes our fancy.
Metallic Pendants: Copper and
pewter finishes are another popular
lighting trend in 2010, particularly
with upcoming mini pendant
designs. Metallic pendants can lend
an inviting rustic touch to your home
and are certain to remain stylish for
years to come. The Hudson Valley
Independence mini pendant is a
particularly good use of this lighting
trend, and works well in a range of
surroundings.
Brass is Back: Brass finishes made
a big comeback in 2010 lighting.
But these aren’t the ‘brass and glass’
fixtures you remember from way back
in the day - there are lots of super
stylish brass designs on the horizon.
Case in point: the recently unveiled
“Ferrara” chandelier from Quoizel.
Whether your style is traditional or you
yearn for up-to-the-minute style, you
are certain to find something that suits
you in the new 2010 lighting designs.

Automation

Software to
save
Construction sector can cut
unnecessary expenditure by using
construction management
software. It will also help them
to streamline their operations
and stimulate growth

C

onstruction Management
Software is a solution for
builders and construction
groups to manage
construction projects. It can help
clients stay up to date on their
projects online with this software.
Some of them help create a project
and add tasks and clients could then
log in and can place comments on
each task, view estimated completion
dates and the status of each task. The
software helps to ensure that client
satisfaction is high, by keeping them
informed of the project. In short
construction management software
will help to run construction
business smoothly.
Construction projects can be very
complex. There are many details and
plans, and projects undergo changes
constantly. It is very difficult to
keep track of everything and keep
clients happy always. Construction
management software is a panacea
to all such issues. Construction
management software allows one to
quickly view the status of projects and
has the ability to answer questions
fast with all the information just a few
clicks away.

Cost savings
Construction management software
helps control cost almost at every
stage from a bid to the final account.
Savings in time and money can be
32 OER DOSSIER December 2010

gained by automating the estimating
process to provide a faster bid
delivery. Software providers have
developed different enabling
technologies that provide
verifiable returns.Â
Some of the software can show
what developers and contractors are
spending on site and what they have
left to spend. They can also track
changes in the project and make sure
that their budget takes into account

these variables, thus helping to
control expenditure.
Construction management software
is especially relevant during times of
economic slowdown when even small
margins count. Having said this, it is
also important to add that software
solutions are relevant to organisations
in all aspects of operations at all
times. Only thing is that benefits of
construction software may be more
visible during harder times.

Challenges
The challenges faced by construction
management software have more
to do with adoption than the
software itself. The construction
industry is lagging behind others
in the adoption of technology to
solve business problems. The role
of the technology is to provide the
industry with a platform to manage
the entire contracting process from
bid management, procurement,
commercial cost management of
projects, and financial accounting.
One of the important aspects while
using the software is to make sure that
all departments share the information
they have. If the payroll department
keeps all information in its domain,
they cannot make it available to a
person who really needs to know
about it. These people need to know
about a situation as it is happening
and not after, as cash flows on a
continual basis. Construction software
can manage all of this.
Future prospects
Internet is becoming more and
more integral to our lives. Almost
everything we do now is web-based,
resulting in internet becoming the
perfect communication tool. Because
of this, some experts opine that
construction management software
is going to be internet based and
available to, hopefully, everywhere on
the planet in the coming days.

help trim costs. Here are some of the
software providers to know.
Aconex
This software helps to combat
the cost of paper documents and
the limitations of e-mail, Aconex
provides a web-based system for
managing project information such
as drawings, documents, tenders and
correspondence.
It helps to prevent disputes and
delays, the system maintains a
complete audit trail of who did what
and when, allowing contractors
and project managers to track key
deliverables and identify bottlenecks
before they impact schedules. A large
number of organisations all over the
world are using this software.
Constellation HomeBuilder
Systems
Constellation HomeBuilder Systems
is one of the largest providers

management solutions which can
cater to the needs of the construction
industry. Its cost management and
financial management systems help
organisations minimise risk, control
cost and increase profits.Its enterprise
content management solutions help
companies gain better control over
information relating to projects,
departments and entire organization
structure. Causeway’s supply
chain management solutions help
construction firms control costs and
increase profit margins throughout the
tendering process.
CMCS
Past Performance Management
Information Systems (PPMIS), a
portfolio and project management
solution offered by Collaboration
Management and Control Solutions
(CMCS) helps companies keep track of
project progress. This software unites
all project information, including
schedules, costs and documents, to

Times are now right for
construction firms to spend on
specialised construction software
which can help trim costs

According to some other experts
there will be consolidation in the
market place for vendors that sell,
specifically to niche parts of the
construction supply chain. More
and more companies will move
from traditionally hosted extranet
collaboration systems to their own
internal document and content
management platforms that have the
ability to extend to third parties.

of software for home builders.
It has recently released the new
BuildSoft Pro 32-bit. BuildSoft Pro
is an award-winning residential
construction software for small to
medium-sized home builders and
remodelers designed to help manage
and streamline their construction
processes. The new 32-bit platform,
BuildSoft Pro has a modern look and
feel and is based on a stable, solid
platform with Microsoft Outlook and
Excel functionality.

Times are now right for construction
companies to spend on specialised
construction software which can

make sure that information is readily
available to users. Those who are
expected to benefit from the system
are: developers and owners, financial
partners, project management firms,
surveyors, consultants, contractors
and suppliers. The customer list
of the company features regional
developers, project managers,
consultants and contractors.
BuilderTREND
BuilderTrend Solutions’
BuilderTREND software was
developed especially for small and
medium sized builders. This is easyto-use and web-based. This software
December 2010 OER DOSSIER

33

AUTOMATION
streamlines the communication
process for the main contractor,
subcontractors, and homebuyers
allowing for online scheduling and
calendar, online document and photo
sharing, online change orders and
selection approvals, online warranty
management, email and direct text
message alerts and more, all in a
simple and user-friendly way.

Construction management
software is going to be internet
based and available hopefully,
everywhere in the coming days

Penta COnStruCtIOn erP
penta Technologies’ peNTa
NT
NTa
Construction eRp is an innovative
enterprise software system designed
to help complex construction,
engineering, and service enterprises to
improve business performance. From
integrated multi-company financials,
projects, service, labour and
equipment, to analytics, document
imaging, workflow and mobile field
software, peNTa
NT provides a deep,
NTa
industry-specific feature set and
forward-looking technology for
engineering, construction and service
firms that need to improve and grow
their businesses.
COnStruCtIOn COMPuter
SOftware (CCS)
Candy Construction estimating
and project Control system from
Construction Computer Software
(CCS) is a software application for
the construction sector, especially for
cost management and planning. The
system integrates all functions and
stages of the construction process,
from estimating through to tender
award and ultimately, final account.
Candy is totally focused on and
designed for construction and is not
a set of relational databases pressed
onto construction people.
Candy is developed over 30 years
through an interactive and consultative
process with the industry and can
manage the numerous links between
all functions and all the people in
construction in a systemic way.
red SKy It
Red Sky IT provides specialist
34 OER DOSSIER December 2010

software solutions to each part of the
construction sector supply chain, from
architects, engineers and consultants
to contractors of all size and type.
The company has more than 30
years’ experience in delivering
solutions to the UK market and
has supplied its software to top
construction companies in the
Middle east also. Red Sky offers a
range of solutions under its Summit,

progression and Informate product
lines, covering contract financial
accounts, estimating and tendering,
project accounting, service and
maintenance management, house
builder operational control, content
and document management and
electronic purchasing. The Summit
products are available on a ‘software
as a service’ basis, where customers
pay monthly fees to use the software
over the internet.

TransporT soluTions

AjAy jhAvAr,
GenerAl
MAnAGerCorporAte
of BAhwAn
enGineerinG
Co. llC tAlks
ABout how
their elevAtors
And esCAlAtors
division, in
pArtnership with
GloBAl leAder
otis, is leAdinG
froM the front
By providinG
the Best in
ClAss produCts
And serviCe in
the pAssenGer
ConveyinG
systeM MArket
tell us in bRief about the
backgRound and cuRRent
scenaRio of the elevatoRs
maRket in oman.
The Sultanate of Oman is
comparatively a smaller market
for elevators compared to its
neighbours. There are a few high-rise
buildings in Oman as the emphasis
has been more on low rise buildings
and structures. With fast paced
development in places especially
Muscat, Sohar and Salalah in the last
decade, the demand has picked up
in various segments in Oman. On an
average, the market has been growing
at a rate of 15 per cent per annum.
36 OER DOSSIER December 2010

Rising to

o the challenge
December 2010 OER DOSSIER

37

Transport solutions

Demand sometimes increases due to
large size projects.

Green
Products
Otis’ environmentally friendly Gen2TM
elevator system sets the standard for
elevator performance, efficiency and
comfort. The Gen2TM system does not
require any additional polluting lubrication,
eliminating the need for storage, cleanup
and disposal of hazardous waste. The
Gen2TM system becomes even more energy
efficient when combined with ReGen
drives. As the product of choice for green
building initiatives, ReGen drives reduce
overall elevator energy usage by up to 70
percent compared to systems with nonregenerative drives.

Which segments are driving
the business?
The business segments can be
divided into residential, commercial,
hospitality, tourism, healthcare,
industrial, airports and retail. It is
difficult to pinpoint that a particular
segment is propelling the business
as the market is primarily driven by
large projects that creates demand
of significant proportion. Overall,
we can say that majority of the
market consists of residential and
commercial segments. The business
volume is more in residential
segment whereas the value is higher
on the commercial side.

What are the important
considerations while
selecting a particular
brand or service provider in
this segment?
In my opinion, there are two main
factors – safety and reliable service
– that one should look into before
selecting a brand. Safety is the
prime concern. Our slogan ‘No
Compromise on Safety’ also conveys
the same viewpoint.
Safety and service standards have
to be world-class. Service is the
key and our mission is to be first in
service, first in products and first in
performance. It is not about selling
a good product only; it has to be
safely installed, commissioned and
maintained throughout its service life.
Life of an elevator is very long due
to technological advancement. If the
elevator is maintained properly and
modernized from time to time, it can be
used for a substantial period without
any major problem. A good example

of this is the elevators at Muscat
Intercontinental Hotel. The glass
panoramic elevators in operation at the
hotel’s atrium are the same elevators
that were installed way back in 1978
and subsequently modernized and we
have been maintaining them all these
decades. Whenever we sell a product
we ensure that we do its maintenance
as well.
We are the exclusive distributors of
Otis Elevator Company to offer their
products in Oman. Otis is the world’s
largest manufacturer and maintainer
of people-moving products including
elevators, escalators and moving
walkways. With headquarters in
Farmington, US, Otis employs 61,000
people, offers products and services
in more than 200 countries and
territories and maintains 2.3 million
elevators and escalators worldwide.

Tell us about the green
products offered by Otis.
Ever since Elisha Graves Otis, the
founder of Otis, sold the world’s
first safe elevator in 1853, Otis has
remained as the world’s leading
elevator company with number of
firsts to its credit. Otis has been a
pioneer in green technology in the
elevator market. In 2000, Otis first
invented Gen2TM, the first green
elevator in the world. Traditionally,
an elevator is run by conventional
steel ropes, which need regular
lubrication and maintenance. In
Gen2TM, Otis used its patented, flat,
polyurethane-coated steel belts
replacing the conventional steel rope.
The new flat belt doesn’t require
lubrication or regular maintenance.
Gen2TM is environment friendly,
performs smoothly and quietly. It is
flexible, saves space, and lastly, takes
less time for installation. And most
importantly, it consumes less power.

It has been installed in many projects
in Oman. Recently, we have installed
them in Asian Beach games and
PDO facilities. We have bagged the
contract for installing several such
elevators in The Wave- Muscat, and
Muriya projects.

Generally green products
are more expensive compared
to the conventional
products. What is the
scenario in the case of
elevators?
The green elevators in the long run turn
out to be more cost effective because,
their power bills could be 40 to 50 per
cent lower compared to conventional
elevators. So the green elevators pay for
themselves in the long run.
Otis has also added their ReGen
drives to the Gen2TM to make them
more efficient. ReGen drives reduce
overall elevator energy usage by up
to 70 per cent compared to systems
with non- regenerative drives.
ReGen drives feed energy, usually
lost during braking, back into the
building’s internal electrical grid,
where it can be used by other loads or
users connected to the same network.
They are ideal for low and mid-rise
residential and commercial buildings.
Apart from green technology, Otis is
continuously raising the benchmark
when it comes to safety, comfort and
features. And aesthetics, of course.
We can translate client’s vision into
reality just like customized luxury
cars. We can add multiple features to
an elevator depending on the usage.

How strong you are on the
service front?
We are completely committed to
provide prompt and excellent service

to the customer. We have 24x7 call
back service. The service team is
divided into different zones to reach
the site in minimal time. We never
compromise on quality and safety.
Being the market leaders we are
continuously striving to improve
our high standards of service. Our
group’s core value revolves around
commitment to providing an
excellent service to our customers.
And this can only be achieved if we
have people who are well trained and
have the aspiration to demonstrate
excellence in service. Our team has
a proven track record in achieving
the highest standards in customer
satisfaction and our people undergo
training at regular intervals to be
abreast with the latest technology
and operations under the guidance of
Otis.

Oman has been expanding
and modernizing its
infrastructure say
airports etc. Do you have
the products to meet
the demands of the new
developments?
We have been involved in most
of the prestigious infrastructure
development projects across sectors
over the decades. We are fully geared
up to provide the products that
are needed by the Sultanate in its
modernization and expansion drive.
Talking of airports, we have the
products to provide safe, reliable and
environment friendly transportation
solutions for heavy-duty operations.
Also, we have specialized aesthetic
features to meet the needs of airports
in Oman. Recently, Otis has got
the contract to provide 88 energyefficient elevators, escalators and
moving walkways to Los Angeles
International Airport (LAX).

Bahwan Engineering and Otis Elevators
together have played a formidable role in the
growth of Oman. For more than 30 years,
the ever increasing business cooperation
has meshed together a fine common
understanding of quality and customer
satisfaction. We are both working on
continuing what we started to reach, higher
and higher levels of business perfection.
Cooperate, perform and grow into the future

Oman Pumps Mfg. &
Engineering Services Co.
SAOC, the flagship company
of Al-Riyami Group has come
a long way from humble origin and
positioned itself well amidst strong
competition of global brands in the
sphere of technology-backed water
utilization systems. The services rendered
by Oman Pumps include system design,
engineering, manufacture, fabrication,
assembly, installation and maintenance of
pumps and pumping systems.
In collaboration with Grundfos
International, Denmark, the world leader

in pump technology, the production
process started in 1988. The factory at
Rusayl, spread across 4200 sq. m, offers
modern facilities for manufacture,
assembly, fabrication, testing and
servicing / repair of pumps and pumping
system.
All pumps manufactured are tested for
their hydraulic and electrical parameters
as per ISO 9906 at the test bed in the
factory. Four different specialized test
beds complete with instrumentation
are available for different categories of
pumps. Apart from pumps, the company
provides equipment including electric

BE > THINK > INNOVATE - Grundfos Gulf Distribution
At Grundfos we believe that we must deliver
the world to the next generation in a better
state than we inherited. Thinking ahead makes
it possible and Innovation is the essence. We
constantly challenge ourselves to set the trend
to be followed by others. In Oman Pumps, we

D

Trained by principals, the shop floor
is equipped with a team of skilled
technicians, who renders excellent
service. “Oman Pumps acts as a Total
Solution Provider in the industry,”
says Basim Al Riyami, Senior Executive
Director, Oman Pumps. A large inventory
of parts is maintained to provide prompt
after sales service. All this has helped
Oman Pumps to earn the goodwill of
consultants and clients.
GRUNDFOS PUMPS
All facilities and systems at Oman
Pumps are installed as per the highest
standards laid down by the company’s
collaborators, Grundfos Pumps. The
industry major offers a full line of
reliable and efficient pumping solutions
for most applications at home, farms,
commercial buildings, construction
industry, water treatment, waste water
treatment & oil and gas industry. Its
range of pumps meet most pumping
needs in industrial applications with
special focus on water treatment,
waste water treatment & ground water
extraction.

have found an ideal partner believing in the
Rajat Mathur
Director –
Sales & Business
Development
Gulf Countries

same philosophy. Partnership of Oman Pumps
& Grundfos goes back to more than two decades.

How do you define the
current mood in the
construction industry in
Oman?
If we compare this year with 2007,
which was the peak year for the
construction industry in Oman, I
would admit that the performance
hasn’t been that satisfying. However,
the good part is that it isn’t so bad
either. In fact, if we compare it with
many other countries in the region,
Oman’s performance has been better.

imports from markets such as Turkey
and other domestic players.
Till 2004, we exported steel bars to
Saudi Arabia but now that has been
stopped and our focus is totally on
meeting local demands.
How has the 5 per cent
custom duty affected the
import market?
Steel in Oman is being imported
from different countries. The custom

your company compared to
imported brands?
The advantages are many. First, it
is the quality and then the price. In
several instances, it has been seen
that many importers drift away from
the committed price whenever there
is a correction in the market price.
Whereas we stick to our commitment
even if it increases our losses or
profits becomes marginal.
Second, it has been seen that many of

The best part is that there is positivity
in the air. In the next five years,
the construction industry in Oman
is poised to grow further because
of the infrastructure development
projects such as airports and hotels,
though no one can predict what’s
going to happen in the long run. I
must also say that the demand in the
construction industry is on the rise.
The issues in the private sector are a
little different. Till 2007, there was
a lot of demand in the private sector
because construction work was in
full swing. However, by mid-2008,
things took an abrupt turn when the
economic crisis had hit the market.
Most of the construction projects
were put on hold, which in turn
affected the manufacturing industry
as well. We also had our share of
struggle as a manufacturing company.
The steel prices fell but we stuck to
our commitment and kept the supply
chain moving.
How competitive are Omani
products vis-à-vis other
imported products that
are dumped into the market
often at a lower price?
Cement and steel are the two
key products in the construction
business. As far as steel is concerned,
Sharq Sohar Group is the number
one supplier in Oman. The Omani
construction industry requires
600,000 tonnes of steel every year,
and we fulfill 50 per cent of this need.
Rest of the demand is met through

Our production capacity is
much higher than any of our
competitors in the country
duty is applicable for imports from
other countries except states from
the GCC region. The government had
introduced the 5 per cent custom
duty in 2007, but it was withdrawn in
between. Now this custom duty has
been reintroduced, which will help
the local market and also keep the
prices stable. We are really thankful
to the government for this.
What are the advantages
of buying products from

these importers do not maintain the
carbon level in steel which affects its
quality, whereas we always maintain
the permissible limit of carbon
content in steel bars.
I am not saying that all imported steel
is of low quality but the buyer can
receive products of mixed quality. I
would also like to specify that our
Rolling Mill Factory is the first one
in Oman to have received the CARES
certification, guaranteeing a high
December 2010 OER DOSSIER

43

STEEL

quality and trust built over the years.

The capacity of Sohar Steel
is 200,000 tonnes of billets
every year. It will be increased
to 300,000 by 2012

What are the growth plans
for Sharq Sohar Group?
Sharq Sohar was the first company to
launch a steel rolling mill in Oman.
We went fully operational in 1997.
The steel rolling mill business did
well, which inspired us to venture
into other areas as well. The company
now produces Fusion bonded Epoxy
coating rebars and welded steel mesh
as well. Initially, we were importing
billets, but now Sohar Steel is
producing the billets.

For Sharq Sohar Rolling Mills also,
we are planning to increase the
capacity from 250,000 tonnes to
600,000 tonnes per year in the future.

Currently, the capacity of Sohar Steel
is 200,000 tonnes of billets every
year. However by mid-2012, we plan
to increase the production capacity to
300,000 tonnes in the next phase and
then further increase it to 600,000
tonnes.

What is your wish list from
the government?
The government has implemented
the right strategy for the growth of
Omani companies. We wanted the
government to stick with the custom
duties for the consumable items

44 OER DOSSIER December 2010

which the government has obliged.
This has stopped other players
from different markets to enter
Oman, which in turn has helped the
local players to grow. I wish that the
government help the manufacturing
industries by providing them the
full facilities, because I believe the
private sector and the government
sector should work hand by hand,
this will let the country grow and
be stronger.

Green building technology

‘Leed’ to green
technology
LEED certification system has succeeded in streamlining
environmental friendly building practices that exist in
different parts of the world

L

EED is an internationally
recognized green building
certification system
developed by the U.S. Green
Building Council (USGBC).
The acronym LEED stands
for Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design. The model
was developed in 1998 to encourage
environmental awareness amongst
government agencies, architects,
engineers, developers, and builders.
According to USGBC, LEED provides
third-party verification that a
building or community was designed
and built using strategies aimed
at improving performance across
46 OER DOSSIER December 2010

all the metrics that matter most:
energy savings, water efficiency, CO2
emissions reduction, improved indoor
environmental quality, stewardship
of resources and sensitivity to their
impacts.
LEED provides building owners
and operators a concise framework
for identifying and implementing
practical and measurable green
building design, construction,
operations and maintenance
solutions. It is flexible enough
to apply to all building types –
commercial as well as residential.
It works throughout the building
lifecycle – design and construction,
operations and maintenance, tenant

fit out, and significant retrofit. ‘LEED
for Neighborhood Development’
extends the benefits of LEED beyond
the building footprint into the
neighborhood it serves.
The LEED green building certification
programme’s greatest strength lies
in its consensus-based, transparent,
ongoing development cycle.
On April 27, 2009, USGBC launched
the next version of LEED named LEED
v3. The ability to be flexible allows
LEED to evolve, taking advantage of
new technologies and advancements
in building science while prioritizing
energy efficiency and CO2 emissions
reductions. The hallmark of LEED

Green buildinG TechnoloGy
is that it is an open and transparent
process where the technical criteria
proposed by USGBC members are
publicly reviewed for approval by the
almost 20,000 member organizations
that currently constitute the USGBC.
The Council has established Green
Building Certification Institute (GBCI)
to conduct examinations which
will allow individuals to become
accredited for their knowledge of
the LEED rating system. This is
recognized through either the LEED
Accredited Professional (LEED AP)
or LEED Green Associate (LEED GA)
designation. GBCI also provides
third-party certification for projects
pursuing LEED.
histoRy
Ry of leed
R
The development of LEED began in
1993 and was spearheaded by Natural
Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
senior scientist Robert K. Watson
who, as Founding Chairman of the
LEED Steering Committee (until
2006) led a broad-based consensus
process that included non-profit
organizations, government agencies,
architects, engineers, developers,
builders, product manufacturers and
other industry leaders.
Early LEED committee members
also included USGBC co-founder
Mike Italiano, architects Bill Reed
and Sandy Mendler, builder Gerard
Heiber, builder Myron Kibbe and
engineer Richard Bourne; engineers
Tom Paladino and Lynn Barker cochaired the LEED technical committee
in 1996.
In 1998 the LEED 1.0 pilot program
was released. During the pilot period,
extensive revisions were made and by
March 2000, LEED 2.0 was released to
the marketplace.
LEED has grown from one
standard for new construction to
a comprehensive system of six
standards covering all aspects of
the development and construction
48 OER DOSSIER December 2010

The LEED green building
certification programmeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
greatest strength lies in its
consensus-based, transparent,
ongoing development cycle
process. LEED was created to
accomplish the following: Define
green building by establishing a
common standard of measurement,
promote integrated, wholebuilding design practices, recognize
environmental leadership in the
building industry, stimulate green
competition, raise consumer
awareness of green building benefits
and transform the building market.
Green Building Council members,
representing every sector of the
building industry, developed and
continue to refine LEED. The rating
systems address eight major areas:
Location and planning, sustainable
sites, water efficiency, energy and
atmosphere, materials and resources,
indoor environmental quality,
innovation and design process and
regional priority.
LEED certification is a recognition
that a construction project or building
can attain by utilizing environment
friendly building practices during
construction or remodeling.
leed levels
LEED certification can be attained
on four different levels, which
are determined by a credit, or
point system. The levels of LEED
certification are Certified, Silver,
Gold, and Platinum. A building or
project can attain LEED certification
by submitting an application that
documents compliance with the
requirements set for in the LEED
rating system. The Green Building
Council issues LEED certification upon
satisfactory application, review and

compliance verification. There are fees
associated with LEED certification.
While design and construction of
buildings have used environmentally
friendly practices in the past,
LEED was developed to provide a
streamlined set of building standards.
The US government has worked to
model sustainable green building by
achieving certification on many of its
state buildings.
In order to increase the number of
new and redeveloped buildings
eligible for LEED certification, the
US government also offers many
incentives within the building
industry, including grant funding and
tax breaks based on the level of LEED
certification attained.
LEED professional accreditation
is also attainable by individuals,
contractors, project managers,
and other industry professionals.
Professional accreditation
demonstrates that an individual
or company is well-versed in the
LEED system and can work with
other individuals and developers
to oversee the building process and
follow guidelines to attain LEED
certification.
Some of the practices utilised or
observed for LEED certification
include the use of recycled material,
eliminating or reducing the amount
of waste leaving a job site, re-using
existing material, using sustainable
green building material, and using
low-emitting materials such as caulk
and sealers.

What is so unique about the
Gautier brand?
Annie: Gautier is a premium furniture
French brand and we have managed
to retain the French touch in all these
years. It’s always been a challenge to
keep all the brands in the same lines.
Though, I must say that in all these
years, Gautier has been successful in
maintaining clarity around the brand.
However, from a purely customer’s
perspective, Gautier has always
ensured that they get a value for all
Gautier products. For this, Gautier has
always looked at multi functionality
of its products. For instance, a table
can be alternately used as a baby
changing board just like a baby cot
can be transformed into a little bed.
The challenge is to live up to the

brand image and retain the French
touch and the French design.
Sadiq: The Gautier home furniture
range in Oman covers the entire
spectrum of living spaces including
bedrooms, living rooms, junior
bedrooms and nursery, dining spaces,
storage units and other furniture
accessories. A wide selection of
design options is available under each
category to meet and complement
the user’s specific tastes and personal
lifestyle preferences. All the products
are made in France backed by skilled
French designing and workmanship.
How does Gautier design
products for a different
market like the Middle East
despite being a French brand?
Annie: Well, not only in the Middle
East but across the world where ever
Gautier is present, the idea is to take
inputs from the local partners. We
have around 60 partners worldwide
but we do try to keep a common line
of design across markets, though I
must admit, it’s not an easy task at all.
Different countries have different
requirements and at Gautier, we do
try to meet them to the best of our
ability. For instance, the markets
in the North could have a different
requirements and specifications visà-vis the Middle East. For instance,
here in the Middle East markets,
consumers prefer long tables, 3-door
wardrobe or king size beds. We
have always tried to customize our
products to meet the customer need.
We have increased the size of the
table so that it can accommodate 6-8
persons and can also be extended to
accommodate 10 or 12 people,
if need be.
December 2010 OER DOSSIER

51

FURNITURE
wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the case a few years ago. We
are moving to the mixture of lacquer
and natural colours.
Sadiq: Shades like walnut,
mahogany and other darker shades
which are close to wood give a
beautiful effect on the furniture. It
gives a feeling of more space. They
are in demand in Oman.

extended to both national as well as
overseas partners. The objective is to
retain the Gautier touch but with the
help of our partners.
Does Gautier primarily cater
to only the domestic sector,
or the commercial sector
as well?
Annie: The core brand Gautier
is dedicated to home furnishing.
However, the Gautier group also has
several sub brands which caters to
different segments.

Are new designs born
solely through inputs
from local partners, or
your central design team
has representatives from
different regions?
Annie: Frankly, it can be both.
However, we identify trends usually
at the Milan Fair which is primarily
associated with latest trends. Our
products get the style and finish at
Milan. It starts from Milan and is then
52 OER DOSSIER December 2010

Are you offering all the sub
brands in Oman?
Annie: It is an option but we are
currently focusing on the Gautier brand
especially. The Gautier brand follows
the franchise model in Oman and we go
by what the franchisee demands.
The franchisee displays only Gautier
furniture in their stores. However, if the
customers demand, we will be able to
provide other brands as well.
What are the latest trends
in the home furnishing?
Annie: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more of a natural look
that is in vogue. We are drawing
inspiration from the nature which

How has been the response
from the customers to
Gautier?
Sadiq: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still early days as we
have just opened the showroom in
Ruwi. But the response has been
overwhelming, they are bowled over
by the new look of the furniture. For
the first time, they have been offered
such new options in the furniture.
They have a wide range to choose
from what suits their home best.
They never had such options earlier
in this market.
What is the profile of your
customers?
Sadiq: We have observed that we are
attracting the younger crowd. The
younger generation that have gone or
studied abroad have seen these kinds
of furniture being used there, now

want to own them here too.
Do you take commercial
contracts as well?
Sadiq: We have had initial
discussions on contract furniture
but our current focus is on the
retail segment. However, Gautier
does everything except kitchen and
bathrooms. We can give a complete
package to our customers. We have
unique contemporary designs. Our
showroom is strategically placed
so that everyone can come and
experience the products. They can
come directly to us or buy through the
projects that use our products.
Are youR products
environment friendly?
Annie: Gautier is working towards the
environment approach. We strongly
believe in having products that assure
quality, security and environment
friendliness to the customers. Keeping
in mind, all our products are certified
under 9001, 14001 and 18001 that
ensures that our products adhere to
the quality standards.
What made you tie-up
with Gautier?
Sadiq: We tied up with Gautier two

years ago. With the confidence of
over 40 years of success in office
furnishing, we ventured into home
furnishing as we were looking at
expanding our avenues. We came
across Gautier in an exhibition in
Milan two years ago. We liked
their products and this got us
interested in doing business with
them as an exclusive distributor
in Oman.
What took Gautier so long
to come to Oman?
Annie: Though we are present in
the GCC region for years, we were
unable to find the right partner in
Oman. Our objective was to find the
right partner with similar objectives
as ours. Gautier is a family run
business which makes relationships
very important for us. This is why we
wanted to find a partner that shared
Gautier’s approach to business. And
we found our right partner in Oman
Marketing Co. LLC.
How do you plan to provide
the best customer service?
Annie: Our values will transmit to
our customers. We have faith in our
partner that they will live up to the
values that Gautier carries and not let
their customers down.
Sadiq: We have an excellent track

record in customer service. Our
long list of satisfied customers will
vouch for it. We are fully equipped
to provide the best-in-class service to
our Gautier customers. Our group’s
philosophy is to focus on establishing
a strong connect with the customers
through quality products and
complete service satisfaction.
How many designs are
you offering?
Sadiq: We have 17 collections in
place. We have stocks of
what we display because customers
like to have what they see. We will
continue to add or delete the
designs depending on the
customer’s requirement.
December 2010 OER DOSSIER

53

NEWS

Class
Apart
bahwan building materials’ new showroom, on your
way to wadi kabir round about, offers a repertoire of a
new range of products that reflect your lifestyle

A

s the market in GCC is
evolving, the demand
for sophisticated quality
materials for homes
and commercial spaces are soaring.
Elegance, a high fashion brand and
the latest series in RAK Ceramics
of UAE, represented by Bahwan
Building Materials (BBM), caters to
the needs of its growing portfolio

The showroom at Wadi Kabir

54 OER DOSSIER December 2010

of elite customers in the Sultanate
of Oman. Targeting a high-value
niche market, Elegance serves as a
“Ceramics Boutique”. These boutique
variety of tiles are showcased in the
Bahwan state-of-the–art showrooms
where concept rooms and bathrooms
are created. Through a simulated
environment, a customer can
visualize how they will look in his

private spaces or offices, showrooms,
and commercial/industrial buildings.
The new top-range products of this
brand feature a distinct fusion of
aesthetics and function through an
extensive array of concept designs
created by leading Italian designers,
opening up fresh creative possibilities
to satisfy the artistic demands of
discerning customers.

Event

Top speakers to
address Oman
Construction Summit

The summit is expected to be a premier event for learning
all about the latest developments in the industry and
its future prospects

O

man Construction
Summit, which will be
held at Grand Hyatt,
Muscat from January 30
to February 2, 2011 will feature top
level speakers consisting of ministry
officials, high officials of leading
companies, prominent industry
professionals and other industry
experts. The event organisers are
Global Exhibitions & Conferences
LLC (GEC), an event management
company based in Oman and the
US-based International Quality and
Productivity Centre (IQPC). The
conference brochure is now available
at the event’s dedicated website,
www.omanconstructionsummit.com.
“Oman Construction Summit
2011 will be the premier event for
learning all about the latest, exciting
developments in the industry and its
bright prospects for the future,” said
C.J. Paul, general manager of GEC.
The list of confirmed speakers
includes H.E. Said bin Hamdoon
Al Harthy, Undersecretary for Ports
and Maritime Affairs, Ministry of
Transport and Communication; H.E.
Dr. Ibrahim Baqer Al Ajmi, Chairman,
Tourism and Real Estate Investment
Committee, Oman Chamber of
Commerce and Industry; Dr. Maurice
Girgis, Duqm Project Advisor,
Ministry of National Economy; and
Wael bin Ahmed Al Lawati, Chief
Executive Officer and Oman Tourism
Development Company (OMRAN).
Also among the speakers are Eng.

Wastewater Services Company SAOC
- HAYA Water.
“The highly impressive lineup of
speakers at the Oman Construction
Summit 2011 is consistent with
IQPC’s global reputation in organising
only events that are distinguished
for their high quality as well as
strong beneficial value to their
target industries and industry
professionals,” said Rozenn Cornec,
Conference Director - Oman
Construction Summit 2011.
The Oman Construction Summit
2011 is held under the patronage
of Oman’s Ministry of Housing,
and it is officially supported by the
Oman Society of Contractors, the
Oman Society of Engineers, and the
Concrete Society.
The Gold Sponsors of the event
are Douglas OHI and Driver Global
Construction Consultancy and J&P,
while the Associate Sponsors are
Sigma Paints, Parsons, Outu Kumpu,
and Makyol.

is the Media Partner for the event
December 2010 OER DOSSIER

55

NAWRAS BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

3 FEB I MUSCAT HILLS

It’s time again…
It’s time to return to your hard-driving style. The stage is set for the
7th edition of OER CEO Golf – Corporate Oman’s most intense encounter
outside a boardroom.

See you on the greens on 3 February 2011.
Contact Kush on 99253729 or 24700896 ext. 261 or email kush@applauseeventsme.com

OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER

PUBLICITY PARTNERS

www.applauseeventsme.com

MEDIA SPONSORS

CATEGORY PARTNER

Participation by invitation only

COMMERCIAL PREMISES

Creating
landmarks
Spacious and modern commercial
properties, managed by Hamptons
International, are coming up in Muscat
very soon
Property at Al Khuwair

PROPERTY AT AL KHUWAIR
Hamptons International, the real
estate consulting group from the UK,
is appointed to lease a commercial
property, which is expected to
be ready by December end 2010.
Consisting of six floors along with
penthouse, it varies between 2500
sqm and 2700 sqm per floor. Office
sizes vary between 463 and 437 sqm
and each has its own washroom,
pantry, electrical room and store,
essential for any contemporary office.
To combat the problem of parking
spaces, 300 spaces are provided
by including 2 levels of basement,
and the groundfloor is turned into a
parking area for which there will be
access control through boom gates.
The office will be done with shell
and core only and each tenant can
choose their individual finishes. The
common areas, including bathrooms
and pantries, have been fitted out
58 OER DOSSIER December 2010

to very good standards. Each office
has OTIS lifts, VRV Daiken Europe
Acs, CATS Internet, and telephone
connections. Standard requirements
such as sprinklers and fire alarms are
fitted throughout the building.
The location at Al Khuwair is not
only very central and situated in a
popular part of Muscat, but some
of the offices will offer spectacular
views of mountains and beaches.
With prices being competitive,
prospective tenants will get great
value for money.
Silver House AT GHALA
The Silver house at Ghala, is also
another 8-storied commercial
property with 718 sq m per floor,
double-glazed windows with 70 to
80 per cent heat absorption, marble,
granite, ceramic and the latest
security systems. With ample parking
area and all modern amenities, offices

Silver House at Ghala

will be shell & core and tenants can
choose their colour.
With a location close to the airport
and double carriage access roads
running right in front of the building,
it places the Silver House in one
of the most sought after areas of
Muscat. The modern design and
layout is spacious, luxurious and
classy. Al Hosn Investment Company
is currently working on this. The
timeline for completion is 2010.
With Ghala being one of the fastest
growing areas for commercial
development, Hamptonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
International is proud to announce
this postmodern building to their
clients. The market has started to
move out of the CBD area in Ruwi
and future plans for Ghala gives Al
Hosn the advantage of being a firstto-market company with an office
building there.

GEC gets dealership
of Sprung Instant
Structures
Global exhibitions and Conferences has become the
authorised distributor of a cost effective alternative
construction material, Sprung Instant Structures,
based in Canada

G

lobal Exhibitions
& Conferences LLC
(GEC), a leading
event management
company of Oman and
the organiser of next year’s firstever Oman construction summit,
has recently been named as the
authorized distributor of an innovative
building material from Sprung Instant
Structures Canada in the Sultanate.
Based in Calgary, Canada, with a
regional office in Bahrain, Sprung
Instant Structures is the developer
and manufacturer of tensioned
membrane structure, which serves
as a cost-effective alternative to
conventional construction. The
product offers builders a wide range
of advantages, including speed of
construction, flexibility in design,
and lower overall costs. “We are
highly pleased to make this product
available for the first time in the
Sultanate, and we are confident that
it will be widely adopted by many
industries, especially those that

60 OER DOSSIER December 2010

want to have something built fast
without compromising on safety and
durability,” said C.J. Paul, General
Manager of GEC.
Paul pointed out that the Sprung
structure is made up of three
major components: an aluminum
substructure, an architectural
membrane, and fiberglass insulation.
Its unique components make it
lightweight, easy to assemble, energyefficient as well as suitable for any
branding requirement because it is
available in a wide range of colours.
Apart from the structure itself, Sprung
also offers various types of accessories,
including glazing walls, doors and
windows, canopies and translucent
skylights, thus providing a complete
building solution to clients.
A large number of Sprung structures
have already been built in many
countries worldwide, and they
are being used to serve the varied
building requirements of many
industry sectors, including oil &

gas, events and hospitality, aviation,
construction, mining, automotive as
well as the military. According to
Paul, Sprung structures can be used
to quickly fill the need for temporary
field offices, on-site accommodation
for workers, equipment storage
areas, on-site cafeteria or mess hall,
warehousing, enclosed fabrication
areas, and other types of permanent
or semi-permanent structures. He
stressed that with the company
having over 2 million square feet
of available inventory at all times,
Sprung can quickly respond to any
immediate structure requirement
worldwide.
“Sprung structures are increasing in
popularity throughout the Middle
East region, and by partnering with
GEC, we look forward to bringing
this innovative building technology
to Oman to effectively serve the
requirements of various industries,”
said Richard Pereira, Regional
Manager - Middle East of Sprung
Instant Structures E.C.

SPONSORED FEATURE

ASSARAIN FURNISHING LLC

Integrated interior solutions
From concept to completion, Assarain Furnishing provides Total Solution to all its customers

S

ince its inception as a part of the
reputed Assarain Group, Assarain
Furnishing LLC has carved a niche
for itself in the Sultanate as a
‘One Stop Solution Provider’ catering
to Offices, Commercial and Residential
Fit-outs. Assarain Furnishing is a ‘Design
and Build’ Company specialising in
Interior fit-out projects for Corporates,
Commercial, Retail and Residential
clientele. The services provided by the
company are Design, all hard and soft
interior elements, Joinery works, Loose
furniture and Technical services like MEP,
HVAC, Data & voice, Fire Detection, BMS
to name a few.

“We provide comprehensive services on
a turnkey basis in the fields of interiors
and furniture. Our interior solutions are
robust, elegant and practical for today’s

Assarain represents leading principals
from the UK, USA, Europe and the
Far East in Oman. They find the best
options for the client’s business, work
and residential environment. Assarain
Furnishing maintains durable furniture
with contemporary design in sync with
an array of stylish soft furnishings,
special lightings and other interior
elements enhance the aesthetic appeal
of any environment.
Kapil Maini, GM, Assarain Furnishing LLC

This company has executed prestigious
projects for the Diwan, Ministries,
Corporates, Banks and other various
government and private organisations.
Owing to the ever changing business
environment and the ongoing government’s
impetus on Tourism, Trade & Commerce,
Assarain Furnishing has expansion plans for
retail and hospitality sectors.

ASSARAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS LLC

The Right Connect
Assarain Telecommunications caters to a large private sector for networking solutions

O

ne of the leading companies
in the telecom sector of
the Sultanate is Assarain
Telecommunications LLC,
a subsidiary of the Assarain Group, a
major corporate group in Oman. The
company has contributed substantially,
in the accelerated efforts of TRC & ITA
to promote the telecommunication &
Internet infrastructure in the Sultanate.
Representing world leaders in data
communication and telecommunication,
the company has succeeded in bringing
to Oman, a range of state-of-the-art
products that form an integral part of
the communication requirements of
any manufacturing facility, corporate

including ADC Krone, Mobotix - Germany,
Corning & Polycom from USA, and
others.The Company is a registered
(super Grade) regular supplier to the
MOD, MOTC, Omantel, Directorate
General of Civil Aviation & Meteorology
and Petroleum of Oman. The company
also caters to a large private sector for
networking solutions, fiber optic cables
and accessories, copper cables and
accessories, structured cabling for data,
access control & security systems.
N. C. Shivaprakash, Manager
Assarain Telecommunications LLC

Surging Ahead
Apart from Grundfos, the company has also collaborated with other leading international pump
manufacturers, catering to the requirement of the customers

L

eading the Oman market, Oman
Pumps MFG. & Engineering
Co offers its services in
system design, engineering,
manufacture, fabrication, assembly,
installation and maintenance of
pumps and pumping systems. It is
the authorized representative of
globally renowned Grundfos Pumps
in the Sultanate. Established in 1988,
the company began its journey in
collaboration with Grundfos Pumps,
a manufacturer of pumps for homes,
farms, and for commercial and industrial
application.
“Apart from Grundfos, the company has
also collaborated with other leading
international pump manufacturers
including Patterson, Gorman-Rupp,
SPP Pumps, WPIL, Kishor Pumps & Akay
Pumps to offer complete pump packages
to our customers” says Basim Al Riyami,
Senior Executive Director, Oman Pumps.
PatteRSON FiRe PUMPS
Patterson Fire pumps offer a very high
degree of reliability at very competitive
prices. Patterson pumps are designed
as per NFPA regulation and are UL
Listed and FM approved. They are very
well received in Oman market and are
performing at many critical sites.
GORMaN-RUPP
Gorman-Rupp Pumps has a full range
of self-priming centrifugal pumps. Since
these pumps are self–priming, they can
be mounted at floor level, with only
the suction line down in the liquid. The
need to pull out the pump from the
sewage pit is eliminated leading to a
cleaner operation. If a clog does occur,
it can be eliminated quickly, such is the
mechanism. The pumps are designed to

62 OER DOSSIER December 2010

make servicing a fast, simple and costefficient process.
SPP
SPP’s Lowest Life Cycle Cost Series of
Horizontal & Vertical Split Casing pumps
meet the requirements of contemporary
times and set the standard for low-lifecycle-cost pumping equipment. The
efficiency of these pumps, by design, is
way above competition, which leads to
significant Lower Cost of operation &
energy savings.
akay
Akay Industries was established in 1929
and has built since then very strong
presence in Oil & Gas, Power, Mining and
Industrial sector. It has recently updated
its manufacturing facilities to be in tune
with the changing times.

Chemflo range of API pumps offers wide
selection of highly engineered pumps for
Oil & Gas Industry. Abrasion & Corrosion
resistance pumps are cost effective
solution for pumping slurry in Mining
Industry.
kiShOR
Kishor Pumps brings you the process
pumps series “Versa” for handling
process chemicals and effluents. A wide
spectrum of metallurgy, under this
brand name, can be offered to cater
to various hazardous liquids and tough
applications.

Steady Growth
target llC has plans up its sleeves for expansion of building
sector, an area where it has gained reputation for its services

steel works and joinery works also come
within its portfolio.
In the last decade, the company
focussed equally on infrastructure and
building works. But now the current
share in building sector is 30 per cent
and the rest goes to infrastructure. Next
year it could be the other way round as
the company is trying to focus more and
more on construction of buildings.
Target aims to attain the highest
international quality standard to match
the Sultanate’s march towards a glorious
future under the leadership of His
Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said.
With the influx of contractors from
neighbouring states, the market has
become more competitive. But Target has
a positive take on the issue and they take
the challenge on their stride. High quality
finish and on-time delivery, the core
strengths of Target, have put them in
good stead in the competitive scenario.

Nabil Nakhle, General Manager

T

arget LLC is an Omani
construction and civil
engineering firm which has
contributed significantly
to the Oman’s progress since its
inception in 1976. It started as a
construction company, dealing with
small construction projects, like small
buildings, villas, etc. In course of time,
its market share has grown significantly.
A strong commitment to understand and
fulfill clients’ requirements has enabled
Target to earn customer satisfaction.

The company is registered in the Tender
Board and is participating in a wide
range of civil engineering works which
includes all ancillary works that come
along with water supply and sewerage
like pumpstation, reservoirs and sewage
treatment plants.
Target LLC is also into building residential,
commercial and office structures, an
area where it has gained reputation for
its services. Apart from this, all types of
infrastructure, industrial, M.E.P/HVAC,

High quality finish and on-time
delivery, the core strengths
of Target, have put them in
good stead in the competitive
scenario

It needs to be mentioned that Target’s
manpower and resources have grown
considerably and have resulted in
increased involvement with a large
volume of both government and
private projects. Competent staffs,
quick response to problems, proactive
approach towards site staff, attending
to projects along with strong financial
capacity are some of the merits of
Target LLC which puts it apart from
other players in the market. The
company is an ISO 9001:2008 certified
organization.
Continuing with the expansion in
infrastructure, Target LLC has plans up
its sleeves for expansion of building
sector, informs Nabil Nakhle, General
Manager, Target LLC. He further says,
“We enter into partnerships with other
companies to handle large projects.”

odern Concrete
Products LLC (MCP)
is one of the largest
producers of concrete
products in the Sultanate of Oman
and is one of the flagship companies
of the reputed Assarain Group of
Companies.
Technologically advanced, this
state-of-the-art mega plant at Sohar,
which sprawls across 75,000 square
metre area, manufactures high quality
concrete products like building
blocks, interlocking tiles, etc and
caters to the entire Al Batinah region.

Modern concreTe producTs llc

Hub of excellence
MCp has been able to earn the goodwill of local people across
Al Batinah as a company that excels in giving customers the value
for money and quality products

PRODUct PORt
POR FOliO

Modern Concrete Products LLC
offers tailor made options within
its wide product range comprising
interlocking and super-specialty tiles
for light walkways to heavy traffic
areas. Truly speaking, the product
lines of MCP range from the most
versatile combinations of designs
and colours in interlocking tiles and
pavers and high quality building
blocks such as Hollow, Bottom Close,
Hourdi and Half Blocks, in various
sizes. This apart, MCP also has other
products like aesthetic Pavement
tiles, Roof Slabs, luxury segment
tiles, etc.
The production capacity of the
company is approximately 6
million blocks and 1.2 million sqm
of interlocking tiles per annum
produced from the single mega plant.
aSSaRai
R N theRMO BlOckS
Rai

Modern Concrete Products is now
manufacturing technologically
innovative green concrete products
which are energy conserving; one of
them being the polystyrene sandwich
building blocks named the Assarain
Thermo Blocks.
The high insulation standards of
these blocks also provide greater
comfort to the occupants as well as
increase the overall intrinsic value of
the buildings in the market.
64 OER DOSSIER December 2010

cORe StReNGthS

MCP caters to all Government
organizations, contracting companies,
private investors and individuals.
The company works very closely
with consultants and designers
and has come up with effective
application alternatives along with
pre and post sales services. Goodwill
of customers, quality products with
good surface finish and aesthetic
look, accuracy and minimum wastage
are some of its core strengths.
The highlights of MCP in its first
two years of commercial operations
itself are many and in this short time
itself, it has catered to more than 50
major projects. This year itself, it
has the sole distinction of doing the
maximum number of projects in the
Al Batinah region, some of which
are Sohar Port Interchange Project,
Lulu Khasab, Lulu Buraimi, 28 Villa
project of Liwa, Filling Stations in
Al Batinah region, International

Maritime College, Sohar Court,
Rustaq Court, Vale Project, MOD
Pension Fund Project, etc. MCP has
been able to gain the confidence
of local people across Al Batinah
as a company that excels in giving
customers the value for money and
quality products.
MCP is contemplating on taking
initiatives in diversifying product
lines and the future holds good
promise for the company and thereby
for the region catered to. This
large manufacturing hub at Sohar
by now is catering to the entire Al
Batinah region comprising major
consumption centres like Buraimi,
Sohar, Liwa, Shinas, Al Aqr, Saham,
Rustaq, Wudam, Barka, Khasab,
Musandam and the Dubai Border, etc.

ational Heaters Industries
(NHI), the largest
manufacturer and seller
of water heaters in Oman
has introduced Oman’s first range of
slim water heaters, ‘Hotex Slim’. This
exciting new water heater is specially
designed to fit above the false ceiling
of a bathroom and kitchen, and once
installed, it works just as superbly as any
other Hotex Water Heater. At last the
water heater that gives you the much
needed flexibility to plan and maintain
the decor and aesthetics of your
bathrooms and kitchen.
The Hotex Slim Water Heater comes
in two capacities – 35 litre and 50
litre; it has a unique dual mounting
option (wall or ceiling), comes with
‘DHM’ (diagonal heating mechanism)
technology for higher performance, an
extended indicator, thick PUF insulation
and double safety thermal cut-out
protection.

National Heater Industries (NHI) is
extremely proud of its strong customer
connect which inspires NHI to break new
barriers in consumer relevant innovation
every single time. The company will
continue to enhance its range of
products across product groups.
The new range of ‘Hotex Slim’ Water
Heaters represents NHI’s effort to
continuously innovate and introduce
new cutting edge technologies offering
convenience to its consumers in Oman.
Innovation, functionality, durability,
eco-compatibility and clear user-friendly
functions were the criteria kept in mind
while designing this range.
The Hotex Slim Water Heater is part of
the Hotex family, the brand enjoyed by
millions of customers in the country over
the past 25 years. Over the last decade,
NHI which has a proven track record
in technical and marketing excellence
has diversified its product offerings and

brought to its customers several unique
and pioneering products and services.
The company launched its ‘Coolex’ range
of appliances in 2003, which includes
water purifiers and air purifiers for home
and corporate use.
In 2006, the company also launched
‘Hotex’ steel, a pioneering B2B solution
for manufacturers and retailers who

needed flat products cut to specific
dimensions. ‘Hotex’ steel was
launched with the aim to cater to
the needs of small and medium sized
manufacturers who were otherwise
dependent on imports to meet their
steel requirements. And adding to its
ever growing product range, NHI has
also recently launched their Cable
Management System, ‘Trunking and
Trays’, in 2009.
National Heaters Industries (NHI), an ISO
9001: 2000 certified company is one of
the most prominent companies of the
Omar Zawawi Establishment (Omzest)
and are manufacturers of the famous
‘Hotex’ and ‘Coolex’ brands.

Contact: 24446302
Fax: 24446301
Email: nhi@omzest.com

December 2010 OER DOSSIER

65

sponsored feaTure

E

stablished in Oman in 1991
as a fabrication company,
Arabian Industries LLC has
subsequently diversified its
focus from exclusively fabrication
to EPC contracts and maintenance
service. While experiencing rapid
growth due to this change of focus in
2000, Arabian Industries LLC became
the holding company for three
businesses, each separately engaged
in fabrication, EPC and maintenance
contracting for the Oil & Gas,
petrochemical and power industries.
All joint ventures are executed by the
holding company and the subsidiary
companies are as follows:

arabian indusTries llc

Integrated Total
Solutions
with heavy engineering expertise, Arabian industries continues
to be a reliable supplier to its customers in the energy sector

•Arabian Industries Projects LLC:
Works on standalone EPC contracts
•Arabian Industries Manufacturing
LLC: Manufactures Engineered prefabricated modular skids, pressure
vessels, columns, reactors, heat
exchangers, coolers, etc.
•Arabian Industries Technical
Support LLC: Provides maintenance
and refurbishment services.
epc pRojects, pRoducts &
seRvices
With respect to EPC projects, Arabian
Industries has the capability to
undertake any type of petrochemical
or energy sector construction. The
extensive range of manufactured
products and services of the company
includes: Engineered pre-fabricated
modular skids, pressure vessels,
columns, reactors, Heat exchangers,
coolers, storage tanks, CS/SS/DSS/Alloy
Steel pipings, etc. Arabian Industries
is also able to provide complete
turnaround & shutdown maintenance
and valve repair/testing for the
petrochemical and power sectors along
with other maintenance activities.
The market trend has remained fairly
stable and consistent across each of the
company’s areas of business for many
years. Sprawling across a 100,000
square-metre workshop, Arabian
66 OER DOSSIER December 2010

Amer Al Suleimani, Managing Director

Industries has a fabrication facility and
maintenance facility in Sohar to cater
to all the different types of fabrication
and maintenance services.
majoR contRacts
Some significant contracts signed
by the company include a first of
its kind EPC contract for a steam
injection EOR project. The company
has also executed the engineering and
maintenance service contract for PDO
for the past five years’ joint venture
with WorleyParsons Limited executing
an EPC contract in Muscat for PDO.
The company has been involved in
various prestigious contracts with
PDO, Oman Gas Company (OGC),
Oman Refineries and Petrochemical
Company (ORPC), Cam Lock Middle
East, Bechtel, jGC, Degremont,
SNCLavlin among others.The major
customers for Arabian Industries LLC’s
services include PDO, OGC, Occidental
Petroleum Corporation, ORPC, Oman
LNG and Petrofac.The company

provides ongoing training on HSE and
quality control to its professionals and
skilled workers as safety and quality
control being of utmost importance to
the company. Already credited with
ISO 9001 certification and all API and
ASME accreditations, the company as
recently certified to IMS (Integrated
Management System).
Regional expansion
Arabian Industries is now planning
to venture into export markets. M.
Ramesh, CEO, Arabian Industries
LLC, says, “Our plan is to expand our
operations out of Oman, into countries
such as Qatar, Libya, the UAE and
elsewhere. However, for the time
being, we are strategically located in
Sohar, where the large port enables us
to cater to these markets from Oman.”

stablished in 1992, National
Fibre Glass Factory LLC is the
leading manufacturer and
supplier of products in Glass
Reinforced Products (GRP) and Glass
Reinforced Concrete (GRC) in the
Sultanate of Oman.
Situated in Al Wadi Al Kabir, the factory
is well-equipped with the latest
automatic machinery imported from
United Kingdom. A team of well-trained
technicians, engineers and designers,
assisted by a group of skilled workers
ensure quality products of global
standards and guarantee timely delivery,
meeting customer requirements.
PRODUct Ra
R NGe
Glass Reinforced Plastic: This range
includes water tanks, septic tanks
specialized in cold pressed sectional
panel tanks, domes, cladding, decorative
panels, canopies, car sheds, roofings,
arches, drainage pipes, tubs, wash basins
and storage bins. National Fibre also
manufactures Heavy Duty Cable Trays
and ladders to cater for electrical service
industries. Support accessories for trays
and ladders can also be made in GRP.
GRP: Fibreglass room and washroom
doors are an alternative to their wood
and steel counterparts. They are water
resistant and therefore resistant to
warping and rot. Working as effective
insulators, these doors can be painted
and stained like wooden doors. Quality
and durability, matched with the
essential element of security, these
doors ensure customer satisfaction and
product reliability.
Glass Reinforced concrete: GRC includes
decorative screens like Islamic designs,
fascias, fluted pillars, pillar capital and

The circle of clients for National Fibre
Glass Factory includes MOH, bank
Muscat, Saud bahwan, Ministry of
Education, SQU, Royal Diwan, etc.

Contact: 24810373/24815332
Fax:24812258
Email:nffglass@gmail.com

December 2010 OER DOSSIER

67

sponsored feaTure

inTernaTional heavy eQuipMenT co. llc

Functional Efficiency
to the growing needs of customers in oman, ihe has added several products in the recent past
to their equipment range

I

nternational Heavy Equipment Co.
LLC (IHE) of Zubair Automotive
Group. represents many world
renowned manufacturers of trucks,
buses and equipment in the Sultanate
of Oman. IHE is the exclusive distributor
for Volvo Truck & Buses, Renault Truck,
BOBCAT, Putzmeister Concrete Pumps,
Liebherr Concrete Batching plant
and Truck Mixers, CASE Construction
Equipment, Striker Tracked Crushing
and Screening Plants, Proman Crushers,
Sacme Block Making Machines, Ausa
Mixers and Dumpers, Ferrari Truck
mounted Cranes, Ingersoll Rand Winches
and Tools etc, in the Sultanate of Oman.
To cater to the ever growing needs of
customers in Oman, IHE has recently
established co-operation with many
internationally reputed Manufacturers
from Europe, and are now offering to
their customers, several new products
such as Parker Asphalt, Crushing and
Screening Plants, Liebherr Tower crane,
Liebherr Mobile and Crawler Crane, etc.

p RkeR/phoenix-cRusheR &
pa
asphalt plant
Parker Plant Equipment is one of the
most respected manufacturers of
equipment for construction material
processing in the world. It established
itself as the reliable solution to all
crushing, screening, sand and gravel
asphalt projects throughout the
world, receiving the Queen’s award
for Export Achievement in recognition
of its success overseas. Its design and
manufacturing process are enhanced by
the latest advancement in engineering
technology and the quality of Parker
products is acknowledged by ISO 9002:
1994 accreditation. This, combined with
years of practical experience, is the
68 OER DOSSIER December 2010

sole reason for Parker’s reputation for a
reliable plant performance. The fact that
customers come back again and again to
Parker Plant Equipment bears testimony
to its performance. The scope of Parker
Plant business has widened to provide
a complete service to all its customers,
including after sales and technical support
and a full range of genuine spare parts.

between 30 and 1350t. The fast allterrain mobile cranes, compact and
mobile construction cranes and heavy
duty lattice boom cranes are in use
worldwide and have the power and
reliability to perform lifting operation of
every kind. Energy saving and emission
optimized drive make the equipment
environment friendly.

For more information visit:
www.parkerplant.com

For loads of up to 300t the functional
highlight are low transport weight,
rapid erecting without any outside
assistance,optimum load capacities
over the entire operating range and a
comprehensive supply of operating data.
For heavy-duty crane with capacities of
upto 1350t, Liebherr offers a wide range
of multi-functional boom jib configuration
and various simple solutions for handling
extreme loads.

liebheRR toWeR cRane
The range of Liebherr Construction
Crane system with modular element
design principle includes all systems and
sizes and offers the most suitable lifting
technology for any civil engineering
task. Depending on requirement,
Liebherr cranes can be erected on
fixed foundation, supporting spindles,
rails, wheels, crawler tracks or can be
operated as a mobile construction crane
directly from the transport vehicle.